Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
101. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA imposes different criteria on a company (details supplied) against Dublin Bus in relation to the meeting of performance targets in the provision of bus services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53674/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the company.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into separate public transport service contracts with Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland for the provision of bus services in the Dublin area. Each of these contracts includes key performance indicators (KPI) for areas such as punctuality, reliability, service quality and fare evasion. Where an operator does not meet minimum performance standards relating to any given KPI, a deduction is made from their operating payment. For some KPIs (e.g. punctuality), an incentive payment is paid when the minimum performance standard is exceeded.
I am advised by the NTA that it imposes similar criteria in the contracts with Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead in relation to passenger service quality and scheduled kilometres operated. In the case of punctuality, the current Dublin Bus contract specifies route specific standards, taking into account factors such as the length of the route and the traffic conditions along the route. In the case of the Go-Ahead contract, which commenced prior to the current Dublin Bus contract, a single network wide punctuality standard applies. The NTA has stated that this standard is in general the same or higher than the route specific standards which apply to Dublin Bus.
