Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2022
75. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene to prevent the cessation of public transport routes in east Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45815/22]
View answer82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46129/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 82 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the decision taken by Suirway to withdraw its commuter services in east Waterford, at the end of October, and Buggys Coaches to withdraw its commuter services on its Kilkenny route at the end of September, are commercial decisions for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that Suirway and Buggys Coaches, like all other commercial businesses, are responsible for managing its own resources in respect of its commercial services.
The NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Suirway and Buggys Coaches decisions to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The Authority will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that the NTA has advised that this matter is a high priority for them, and they will advise the Department of their findings as soon as their review process is complete.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
