Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2018
223. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the BusConnects programme during the lifetime of the national development plan; the areas in which the €2.4 billion will be spent; the timeframe for the BusConnects programme; the commencement date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10458/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently launched National Development Plan (NDP) identifies the delivery of the full BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities (inclusive of ticketing systems, bus corridors, additional capacity, new bus stops and bus shelters etc.) as a key investment priority over the period of the plan.
Work is ongoing by the National Transport Authority in the GDA on the network and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme. When this work is completed the proposals will be launched for public consultations expected to commence in April and May of this year. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign, Core Bus Corridors and park and ride facilities.
The NTA has also worked in partnership with a number of local authorities in Ireland’s cities to prepare transport related strategies or implement transport related projects. An example of this is the Galway Transport Strategy which was developed in 2016 by Galway City Council and Galway County Council in partnership with the NTA. The strategy concluded that bus-based public transport represents the most appropriate system for Galway. A Cork Transport Strategy is also being finalised by the relevant Local Authorities in partnership with the NTA which includes proposals for a revised bus system for Cork and enhancements to the commuter rail service in Cork including additional stations and rail fleet.
Accordingly the NDP identifies that the BusConnects programmes will be delivered for Galway and Cork to include new bus fleets; bus lanes with segregated cycling; revised bus service networks; and park-and-ride facilities. As the other cities develop transport strategies, investment will be available under the NDP for appropriate similar projects there.
