Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2023
43. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he receives regular reports on the performance of public transport services; if he will outline the successes, the challenges and the way further progress can be made. [2217/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The NTA meets with operators on a very regular basis to review performance and my Department is kept apprised. The NTA also uses all the contractual and regulatory powers available to it to measure, report on and seek to maintain and improve standards across all PSO public transport services. Further, in instances where performance drops, financial penalties are rigorously applied unless the cause of the loss of performance is outside of the control of the operator, for example, high levels of Covid sickness absence.
Reports on transport operator performances are also published on the NTA's website and an annual performance report is produced - the latest being available for 2021 here: www.nationaltransport.ie/public-transport-services/public-transport-contracts/operator-performance/annual-performance-report/
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
