Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020
53. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport when Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will resume full services in view of the pressures on existing services with reduced capacity due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15994/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the course of the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has been working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure public transport services continue and to plan for the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. In this context, the NTA is engaging directly with both public service obligation (PSO) and commercial transport operators.
The NTA has informed me that since Phase 2 of the Government’s Re-opening Roadmap commenced on 8 June last, Dublin Bus has reverted to a full timetable with some limited exceptions at peak times where demand has remained low on certain routes. Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland PSO bus services returned to a full time-table on the same date and Iarnród Éireann returned to a full time-table on the 31st August.
From 8 June to 28 June passenger carrying capacity on buses was severely restricted due to social distancing measures in place at the time which meant vehicle capacity was limited to approximate 20% of pre-Covid levels. Since Phase 3 of the Re-opening Roadmap commenced on Monday 29th June, and coupled with the announcement by Government and legislation effective from Monday 13th July, that face coverings must now be worn on board public transport, the capacity of public transport was revised upwards to approximately 50% of pre-Covid-19 levels.
The newly announced Living with Covid Plan sets out clear capacity guidance for the 5 levels of the Plan.
The NTA will continue to work with public transport operators to monitor demand against capacity and where issues arise and where spare fleet and drivers are available, additional services will be provided.
