Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the decision to cut bus routes is taken by him, The National Transport Authority or Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45726/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Bus Éireann currently operates two types of public service; commercial services operating under the Expressway brand, which are operated under licences granted by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and socially necessary but financially unviable services, known as Public service Obligation (PSO) services, which are operated under a contract with the NTA. The NTA makes a payment to the two bus companies that operate the PSO services for those services.

The legislation governing the licensing of commercial public bus passenger services, such as Expressway, is the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. Responsibility for the licensing of Public Bus Passenger Services rests with  the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA published, in November 2010, new Guidelines for the licensing of public bus services which set out the basis for a reformed licensing system for commercial bus passenger services in the State. There is nothing to prevent Bus Éireann from applying for an amendment to a licence in respect of such a service. As part of its Expressway turnaround plan, Bus Éireann is making changes to a number of its commercial services to meet the customer demand for limited stop services with quicker journey times and airport connections so that such services are commercially viable.  Failure to react to this market demand and competitive pressures would result in a reduction and/or loss of Expressway services and jobs.

Bus Éireann may also propose route changes to services provided by the company under its PSO contract with the NTA. Any such proposals are subject to negotiation with the National Transport Authority, who may accept, reject or modify any requested change to a PSO service.