Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Transport Services.

John Gormley

Ceist:

144 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will amend the Road Transport Acts, 1933 and 1986; and if the new bus regulations Bill will deal comprehensively with the very serious public transport problems in Dublin. [3379/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

The Road Transport Acts, 1933 to 1986 regulate merchandise transport rather than passenger transport. A Bill to amend and update these Acts will be introduced later this year.

The Road Transport Act, 1932, is the legislative basis for the licensing of scheduled bus services aside from services provided by Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath.

There is widespread acceptance that there are a number of difficulties associated with the implementation of this legislation. It is clear that this is a very complex matter and that there are no simple solutions. Consultations with interested bodies revealed a consensus in favour of updating the legislative framework, but no agreement on the precise form of that legislation. It is important that the proposals which emerge establish a fair balance between the legitimate interests of the users and providers of road passenger services. At this stage I cannot say precisely when I will be in a position to bring forward legislation.

I need time to consider the matter further and I will take account of the views that my Department has received from the meetings already held with the various interested bodies. While I have no plans at present for further meetings I am always open to hearing further views from interested bodies.

It would be premature at this stage to speculate on the implications of the legislation for the regulation of the bus market in Dublin. However, Dublin's transport problems are being addressed through the implementation of the DTI strategy.

The Dublin Transportation Office has recently decided to undertake a review and updating of the DTI strategy. The review phase, which focuses on short-term measures to tackle Dublin's transport problems, is expected to be completed by end April.

John Gormley

Ceist:

145 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on introducing quality bus corridors in Dublin; and the plans, if any, there are for the further introduction of quality bus corridors in the city. [3380/98]

Minister of Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I strongly support the speedy introduction of quality bus corridors in Dublin as I believe that the bus services are the backbone of the existing public transport network and will remain so notwithstanding the development of other bodies of public transport.

Implementation of quality bus corridors is the responsibility of Bus Átha Cliath and the local authorities and is being pursued by them with the active support of the Dublin Transportation Office. As practical evidence of its support, the DTO has allocated a total of £8 million to QBC's from the £34 million provision for traffic management grants in the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-1999.

The DTI Strategy recommended ten QBCs linking suburban areas to the city centre and an orbital QBC linking the western towns of Tallaght, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown. To date, four of the radial corridors are in operation. I am most anxious that speedy progress is made on the implementation of the remaining corridors.

In addition to the substantial DTO funding, my Department is partly financing the introduction during 1998 of a real time passenger information system on the Lucan QBC route which will provide waiting passengers with up to the minute information on the service.