Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
102. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Sustainability Mobility Policy to help enable persons to choose healthy and sustainable modes of transport over private car journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12129/22]
View answerI will shortly publish the new Sustainable Mobility Policy which will set out a strategic framework to 2030 for active travel and public transport to support Ireland's overall requirement to achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of this decade. The policy will primarily focus on measures to promote and facilitate active travel and public transport for all and, in doing so, encourage less private car journeys nationally to support our climate commitment. It will replace the existing active travel and public transport policy as set out in the 2009 policy documents: Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future and the National Cycle Policy Framework.
A collaborative approach has been taken by my Department in developing the Sustainable Mobility Policy through public consultation and extensive stakeholder engagement. The policy will include a comprehensive set of actions to be completed by 2025 to increase walking and cycling infrastructure provision and improve public transport capacity and services across the country. These will be supported by behavioural change and demand management measures to make sustainable modes the preferred choice for as many people as possible. Transport needs are not uniform across the country and we recognise that tailored solutions will be needed for both urban and rural areas. A further action plan will then be developed to cover the remaining period of the policy out to 2030.
The new policy will be underpinned by capital funding under the National Development Plan which provides €35 billion for transport over the next decade. This will enable significant investment in active travel, bus and rail infrastructure and expand sustainable mobility options in our cities, towns and villages. This will be complemented by expanded public transport services throughout the country as supported by the Public Service Obligation programme.
The targets of the policy will be aligned with the transport target metrics in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of 500,000 additional daily active travel and public transport journeys and a 10% reduction in kilometres driven by fossil fuelled cars by 2030.
