Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2006
86 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport the way he will address the situation whereby the number of passengers being carried by bus services in the Dublin area has declined in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41756/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of passengers carried by Dublin Bus increased from 137.1 million in 1997 to 149.8 million in 2004. There was a decrease in passenger numbers carried in 2005 to 146 million, which coincided with the introduction of the Luas to Sandyford and Tallaght which currently carries in excess of 25 million passengers annually. However, the underlying growth on the services of Dublin Bus is strong and the Company expects to increase its passenger carryings in 2006 to approximately 148 million. I expect this trend to continue as the 100 additional buses for which I approved funding in September continue to come on-stream during 2007 and as further bus priority measures are implemented.
