Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2006
480 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to extending the LUAS to Blessington, County Wicklow; if this will be extended in view of the increase in population over the past number of years and the resultant amount of commuters who travel to work in Dublin on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39025/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin Transportation Office long term transportation strategy A Platform for Change provides the basis for the Transport 21 investment programme in the Greater Dublin Area. It did not recommend the provision of Luas to serve the Blessington area within the timeframe of the strategy.
481 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to introducing a shuttle bus to the Tallaght LUAS serving the Blessington area running every 15 minutes between 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm; if, in view of the number of persons who commute from this area he will introduce this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39026/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of any public bus services on a specific route by a private bus operator is subject to the 1932 Road Transport Act. In the case of the State bus companies, the initiation or alteration of a bus service is subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirement of giving advance notice to my Department and to compliance with the provisions of section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators.
My Department has not received any applications from private bus operators, or notifications from the State bus companies for shuttle bus services to the Tallaght LUAS line serving the Blessington area as referred to by the Deputy.
