Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004
268 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if the quality bus corridors will be included in the Critical Infrastructure Bill; if his attention has been drawn to their clear importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4237/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed critical infrastructure, Dublin metro, is concerned solely with the acceleration and streamlining of procedures for the delivery of a metro for Dublin. Traffic and parking regulations made in 1997 and 1998 provide the statutory basis for the provision and operation of all bus lanes, including quality bus corridors.
I am aware of the importance of quality bus corridors; they have been shown to have significant benefits in reducing journey times for commuters. In this regard, my Department has allocated €40 million in traffic management grants to the Dublin Transportation Office for disbursal to transportation agencies in the greater Dublin area and the bulk of this will go towards QBC development. The QBN project office, established early in 2003 by Dublin City Council, is spearheading ongoing development of QBCs as part of a quality bus network, QBN.
