Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2017
168. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding he has requested in budget 2018 to improve Dublin Bus services for customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThroughout the year I committed publicly, both here in the House and in the Joint Oireachtas Committee, to further increasing PSO funding levels in the future as resources allowed. Therefore, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in Budget 2018 I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for PSO services throughout the country, including Dublin Bus services. This means that over €285 million will be allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2018 to support the continued delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services that have grown in recent years, and to facilitate some further expansion including the commencement next year of the planned roll-out of bus market opening.
As is normal, the precise allocations to the PSO operators - including Dublin Bus - will be decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
I have also secured a four year multi-annual capital envelope of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme. BusConnects is a plan to fundamentally transform Dublin’s bus system, so that journeys for passengers by bus will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable. It represents a reimagining of bus transport for the Dublin region. It encompasses the revamping of all aspects of the bus system; from the ticketing technology to the road infrastructure; from the bus stops to the network of routes; and from the fare structure to the vehicle emissions.
