Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
278. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if public transport providers, such as Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, DART, Luas and LocalLink, will increase services for students travelling to and from school in order to facilitate social distancing for school children on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35213/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
I am aware that many schoolchildren, particularly in urban areas, use public transport to travel to and from school. Public transport is provided on an open basis for all members of the public, and its availability does not distinguish between schoolchildren, students, and other passengers. Indeed, under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 the definition of a ‘public bus passenger service’ excludes the National Transport Authority (NTA) from licensing or providing services for carrying children to or from school. Consequently, the NTA does not manage the delivery of dedicated school transport services. As the Deputy will be aware, the School Transport Scheme (STS) - which is separate from the public transport system, and which operates predominantly in rural areas - comes under the remit of the Department of Education, and is managed by Bus Éireann on their behalf.
The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank both public and commercial operators and their staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times. A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.
The Government's new "Living with Covid" Plan sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the new Plan. The Plan provides guidance for the public about using public transport at the different risk levels; including that wearing face coverings is mandatory, and encouraging use of off-peak services and sustainable active travel alternative options where feasible.
Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and public transport has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank both all operators and their staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times. A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services safely during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.
Due to the rising incidences of Covid-19 in the community, An Taoiseach announced that for a period of six weeks from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the whole country would move to Level 5 of the Plan. At current levels of risk, public transport operators are restricted to using only 25% of the passenger-carrying capacity on their vehicles. Importantly, the Plan's guidance on working from home where possible and on the closure of social, leisure and other facilities has reduced the demand for public transport well below normal levels. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most, including front-line workers and students. Both my Department and the NTA are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice.
Since the move to level 5, the NTA and bus operators in Dublin (Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland), have re-allocated a number of vehicles and drivers across the network to enhance the capacity in areas where they were experiencing capacity issues.
Approximately 43 buses have been redeployed by Dublin Bus since October 22nd to help mitigate the impact of the capacity restrictions and reduce the number of passengers being left at stops. Where possible, these vehicles are being deployed during peak demand times, particularly for school travel. These measures have also assisted in reducing passengers' wait times at stops. Currently, all available vehicles are in use, so whilst the re-allocation will ease the situation, it remains the case that there will still be instances of people having to wait for another bus.
The NTA continues to monitor the effects of the reduction in capacity very closely in conjunction with public transport operators.
