Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for the presentation and for their attendance.

I have come across many private bus operators who are operating services on a commercial basis with no subvention from the State. They are successful in doing that but one issue they have raised with me from time to time relates to putting in place new services or enhancing the existing services by creating more bus stops. This involves applying for licences and the process has become highly protracted. In the past, they would get the approval of the Garda and then the licence would be approved by the Department. Now, the local authorities are involved and there is what we call a sign-off, which is a process that brings responsibility, caution and delay in getting these bus stops in place. It is prevalent in rural areas. Those involved are willing to provide a service at no cost to the State. Will the NTA look at this and realign the application process to make it simpler? It would allow us to get the bus stops in place.

I accept that bus stops, especially in rural areas, are set up in places where the necessary space may not be available. The bus may have to pull up on the road and take off again. That is the simple fact of it and we are not going to change it. I believe we should take that into account and allow the operators to operate that way. The associated paperwork should be streamlined. If the Garda approves a licence, then the NTA should take on the responsibility of approving it rather than bringing in the local authorities and having engineers involved. The engineers are reluctant to sign off on something because they believe they are taking on responsibility.

I have held discussions locally with the Local Link companies. Several issues arise. While services have improved, I understand that there may be a re-tendering of the Local Link service. It is probably unnecessary at this time to be looking to re-tender as it only creates more uncertainty. It also creates a sense that people do not know whether they will be providing the service by the end of this year. I am keen to hear the comments of Ms Graham on that point.

Another simple issue has been raised with me. I was looking for maps of bus routes for Local Link. The operators do not have maps or the capacity to create the maps because those operating the services are one–man or one-woman bands. Three companies, comprising three people, operate in Galway.

Another point is that the NTA has data relating to the total integrated system of transport provision. These operators do not have access to the data. In some cases, it could take three months for them to do the work to ensure the service is integrated across the board. However, if they had the data at their fingertips, they could get access to the information at the disposal of the NTA. There is no real cost involved in such sharing of information.

The other issue they raised with me is the idea of related services. While we have the Local Link and we operate an integrated service, we also have local on-call services. The fear is that we might forget about these or that they might get lost when we are developing other rural links. We need to ensure the continuance of the bus going out to Headford and environs to collect 12 or 14 people on Friday. The bus brings them in to collect their pension, go to the pharmacy or the doctor, have a cup of tea in the local resource centre and get back home in the afternoon. It allows them to get a bus to Galway if they want. It is important that this service remains in place and is supported. The resources of Local Link companies need to be enhanced. They need to be given a little more help with administration staff to ensure that they are in a position to deliver as they expand services. The associated money should be ring-fenced for three or five years in order that they know with certainty how they can plan for the coming three to five years.

My last question relates to the lack of railway services in rural areas, especially along the western rail corridor. Phase 1 has been completed from Ennis to Athenry. It has been proven in recent years that the numbers are increasing. Under the national development plan it is intended to look at extending the service from Athenry to Claremorris in order to have a link between Galway and Mayo by rail. What is the attitude of the NTA? Is the authority supportive of it? Does the authority perceive that as being something for rural Ireland that will make a difference in creating the Atlantic economic corridor? I understand that the NTA may have made submissions suggesting that we put a greenway on this line. What is the NTA's attitude in this regard?

I believe that if we are to progress development in rural Ireland, we definitely need to extend the western rail corridor for the future of development and to create connectivity for freight, tourism and commuter services. As the NTA representatives may know, Galway city is chock-a-block and people cannot get into it. The main clear artery from north Galway comes through the railway service into Eyre Square. We could create a commuter service from Claremorris, Westport and Ballina all the way into Galway and have return services to these places. Such a development would enhance tourism and all the various possible economic derivatives. What is the attitude of the NTA representatives on that point?