Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
972. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding he has requested in budget 2020 to improve Dublin Bus services for customers in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45396/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2020, I secured an overall allocation of €1 billion to fund public and sustainable transport projects. This includes funding for approximately 127 diesel/electric hybrid buses for the Dublin Bus fleet. 32 of these buses are additional buses and the remainder will improve the environmental performance of the bus fleet by replacing older buses.
Since 2010, my Department no longer pays subvention for public transport services directly to operators. The award of public service obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the companies are 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. The increased funding that I have secured over recent Budgets will enhance and improve the experiences of the travelling public in 2020 and beyond.
