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.
I have explained to the House previously, that under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport, "Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities", was debated in the House on 21 February 2019. I was pleased to contribute to that Debate and also at the launch of the Committee's Report on 14 November 2018. In addition, I debated with Members of the Joint Committee and other Members of the Oireachtas, on 07 February 2018 as part of the Committee's work in preparing its Report. On each of these occasions, I outlined my policy and provided updates in relation to accessible public transport.
Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access, are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Looking to the future, investment in public transport will be accelerated under the national development plan, (NDP). In line with recommendations in the Committee's Report, and as with all new and recently developed public transport projects, all these new programmes and projects will be fully accessible as part of the normal design.
As part of the Capital Plan Review announced in conjunction with Budget 2018, I secured an allocation of almost €28 million for the Accessibility Retro-fit Programme for the four year period 2018 - 2021. This represented a trebling of the previous allocation. Of this amount €7 million is allocated for 2019. The Accessibility Retro-fit programme funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvements to older existing public transport infrastructure and facilities, and it is managed by the NTA. The increase in funding for the retro-fit programme will facilitate the continued roll-out of the programmes to install accessible bus stops, upgrade train stations to make them accessible to wheelchair users and provide grant support for the introduction of more wheelchair accessible vehicles into the taxi fleet.
Last year I asked the NTA to provide information on (i) the accessibility status of existing public transport infrastructure, (ii) the cost of making public transport services wheelchair accessible and (iii) the accessibility improvements planned with the available funding for the 4 year 2018-2021 under the Retro-fit programme. The information provided by the NTA, and other related information, is available on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.gov.ie/public-transport/english/accessibility. For the assistance of the Deputy, I have outlined in the table the cost figures provided by the NTA, of making public transport services wheelchair accessible.
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Bus Stations
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Buses/Coaches (PSO Services)
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Bus Stops (PSO coach services)
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Train Stations
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Taxis/Hackneys
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Total
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Bus Stations
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Buses/Coaches (PSO Services)
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Bus Stops (PSO coach services)
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Train Stations
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Taxis/Hackneys
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Total
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€16.35 m
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€22.5 m
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€10 m
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€76 m
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€214 m
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€339 m
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I would emphasise that the figures provided by the NTA are estimates, due for example to complexities in relation providing accessible bus stops in rural/regional areas. In addition, the figures relate to Public Service Obligation (PSO) services only, and to Exchequer funding rather than industry costs in the case of Taxi/Hackneys.
I also advised the House recently that one of my priorities is to complete a review of existing public transport policy as committed to under the Programme for a Partnership Government. This review is a significant and substantial resource commitment and my Department has commenced and substantially completed the research and analysis required to inform the proposed period of public consultation which I expect to launch in the near future.
I would urge everyone, including members of the Oireachtas, to take the opportunity to contribute to this public consultation and outline their views on all aspects of public transport policy, including in relation to accessible public transport.
