Vol. 574 No. 3
222 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the reason Dublin Bus abolished the No. 2 bus route; the current maximum capacity of the No. 2 and No. 3 bus routes; the projected capacity of the new amalgamated No. 3 bus route; the number of buses used on each of the two current services and on the new service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26965/03]
223 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the statutory procedures that must be employed by Dublin Bus prior to the abolition of a bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26966/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
The abolition of a bus route by Dublin Bus is an operational matter for the company. Following policy directions from my Department to both CIE and Dublin Bus on 10 January 2001, Dublin Bus is required to notify my Department of proposed service changes, whether new services or changes to existing services. The policy direction to CIE was issued pursuant to section 26(1) of the Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986. The direction to Dublin Bus was issued pursuant to section 19(7) of the same Act.
The essence of the direction to Dublin Bus is as follows: the company must notify the Minister of proposed service changes, such as new services and changes to existing services, at least four weeks before the implementation of the proposed changes; it may not introduce any proposed new service or service change where the introduction of such a new service or service change would compete with a passenger road service in respect of which an applicant is seeking a licence pursuant to the Road Transport Act 1932 and where the Minister has provided notification that such an application has been received.
I have received no formal notification from Dublin Bus in accordance with the direction on changes to existing services on these routes.
