Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
48. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the provision of bus shelters on the main routes connecting Dublin, Cork and Limerick which are required in towns and villages on the route will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24964/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for bus shelters in Borris-in-Ossory, Castletown, Mountrath, Ballybrittas, Newtown and Ballylinan, County Laois which are vitally required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 85 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure including the provision of bus shelters.
The capital funding allocated under my Vote this year to the NTA will enable them to undertake substantial investment in public transport infrastructure. This includes over €80 million for the NTA's various bus programmes including €3 million for roadside infrastructure which includes bus stops, poles, turning areas, interchange locations and bus shelters.
As the Deputy will be aware from his previous correspondence with the NTA, and as I am advised, the Authority has developed a prioritisation framework to determine appropriate numbers and locations for the installation of bus shelters in metropolitan areas and in towns and rural areas. The NTA's prioritisation framework sets out the following criteria:
A. One bus shelter in each direction at the busiest stop in all towns that have a population size exceeding 1,000 people;
B. A bus shelter at the two busiest bus stops in each direction in towns that have a population size exceeding 3,000 people;
C. A bus shelter at the three busiest bus stops in each direction in towns that have a population size exceeding 10,000 people; and
D. In locations other than A, B and C where such stops are served by 10 or more PSO services per day.
I understand that NTA's general approach is that Bus shelters will not be provided in towns that do not fall under the criteria set out in their framework, however, requests for shelters at specific locations should be referred to the NTA for consideration.
