Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2024
59. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase funding for the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann to enable them to increase the capacity of overprescribed bus routes such as the 109x Dublin to Cavan bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39643/24]
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 and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
Under Budget 2024, a funding package of c. €613.463m was secured for PSO and Local Link services. This included funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of the year. Funding was also secured to support new and enhanced bus and rail services. More recently, under Budget 2025 funding has been secured to support fare initiatives and for the continued roll-out of new services next year, including the continuation of the BusConnects and Connecting Ireland programmes, the planned introduction of further new town services.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
