As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day to day operations of public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA is the statutory body with responsibility for the issues raised in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann.
The PSO subvention for public transport services increased last year, again this year and will increase yet further next year. Over the three years PSO subvention will have increased by some 35% in total. This means that in 2018 over €285 million will be allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support the continued delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services that have grown in recent years.
The upgrade to the Phoenix Park Tunnel in 2016 has seen commuters on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston line have the option of direct trains to Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Stations. The NTA is also continually monitoring and reviewing the operation of contracted bus and rail services in conjunction with the operators to ensure that the needs of the travelling public are met to the greatest possible extent. The NTA has previously extended the Short Hop Zone for rail travel on the Kildare line to Sallins/Naas and Kilcock stations, which considerably reduced the cost of travel for passengers commuting from those stations.
The DART Expansion Programme is a cornerstone project of the NTA Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035. Under this Programme, the DART system will be expanded, providing fast, high-frequency electrified services to Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line, Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line and Drogheda on the Northern Line, while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones. The NTA in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann is continuing to work on the DART Expansion Programme – Pre-planning Stage.
