Ms Anne Graham:

I thank the Chairman and members for the invitation to attend. I understand the joint committee wishes me to address the topic of rural transport policy. In my statement I will focus, in particular, on public transport. To assist me in dealing with subsequent questions, I am joined by Ms Margaret Malone who manages the rural transport programme within the National Transport Authority.

Before dealing with the specific area that will be the focus of my presentation, I would like to set in context by providing a brief overview of the remit of the National Transport Authority. Its remit is to regulate and develop the provision of integrated public transport services - bus, rail, light rail and taxi - by public and private operators in the State, to secure the development and implementation of an integrated transport system within the greater Dublin area and to contribute to the effective integration of transport and land use planning across the State. I have included in Appendix 1 of my statement more detail on our role and remit. In addition to its statutory responsibilities, the authority has various arrangements in place with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to discharge functions on its behalf. They include the assignment of responsibility to the authority for integrated local and rural transport, including the provision of the rural transport programme.

I will address the authority's responsibilities in relation to regional and economic strategies of regional assemblies. Under legislation, the NTA is required to provide for a regional assembly a report on "the issues, which, in its opinion, should be considered by the regional assembly in making a regional spatial and economic strategy". This function is set out in section 31FF of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The authority has recently made such submissions, as required.

On the provision of public transport services, public transport in rural areas is provided in the following ways. Iarnród Éireann provides rail services under contract with the National Transport Authority. Changes to rail services require the approval of the authority. Bus Éireann provides a variety of services through its commercial Expressway services that are licensed by the NTA and through a network of subsidised public bus services under a direct award contract with the authority. Both services serve many rural towns, with frequencies varying from several times a day to a weekly service. Changes to the subsidised services require the approval of the authority. Other commercial operators provide a number of town-to-town services and intercity services across the State without a State subsidy. If Bus Éireann or any commercial operator is required to withdraw any of its commercial services, the authority will work to ensure communities are not left behind. Bus services are also provided under the rural transport programme. These services are contracted by the NTA and managed by 17 Local Link offices throughout the State. The services are primarily demand-responsive, which includes approximately 80% of all services. However, regular scheduled services between and in towns are also provided under the programme.

I will address the rural transport programme or, as it is now known, Local Link. The objective of the programme is to provide a good quality, nationwide, community-based public transport system in rural Ireland which responds to local needs. Typical services provided under the programme include demand-responsive transport services. The services do not operate on a fixed route but respond to requests for services by intending passengers and operate by making specific trips to pick up and drop off passengers at the door. They can be operated by large public service vehicles, hackneys or community cars. Scheduled fixed transport services comprise services with a regular route, stopping places and timetable. Key features of the public transport system include completing 1.9 million passenger journeys per annum, of which 900,000 are provided for free travel passengers. The figures include 200,000 passengers who require assistance. The system provides for an average of 150,000 service trips annually, travelling over 11.8 million kms annually. Over 400 private operators provide the services, using the services of almost 900 drivers. The programme also funds the provision of once-off trips for individuals and community and voluntary groups to help to address the lack of transport as a factor in social exclusion. Some 62% of service trips are defined as either fully or partially accessible.

On passenger journeys and revenues, the number of passenger journeys grew from 1.7 million in 2015 to 1.89 million in 2017, a significant change, particularly between 2016 and 2017 when we saw growth of 5.6%. In the past two years the authority has supported the expansion of rural transport services to include regular commuter bus services. Operating at least five times a day on a five, six or seven day a week schedule, the services are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services. This connectivity facilitates passengers to make onward journeys, typically to access education, employment, health, recreational and other opportunities. I have included in Appendix 2 a national listing of these regular services.

I will address the funding of the rural transport programme. Prior to its restructuring, a myriad of funding streams supported the provision of rural transport services. Post-restructuring, there are two main funding streams from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, with the free travel pass scheme. As in other areas, funding for the programme reduced significantly during the economic downturn. In recent years the funding allocation has continued to increase, thereby enabling further improvement and expansion of services. In 2015 the funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was just over €10 million which has grown to an allocation of €14.3 million in 2018. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides an annual funding allocation of €1.5 million under the free travel scheme towards the cost of the programme. Other sources of income for the rural transport programme include fare income and the provision of transport services for other organisations such as the Health Service Executive which are funded separately by the relevant organisations.

The authority has recently produced its rural transport programme strategic plan for the period 2018 to 2022. We have copies of the plan for committee members. It sets out key objectives both for the delivery and development of the rural transport programme in the five year period to the end of 2022. The key priorities of the programme continue to include addressing rural social exclusion and the integration of rural transport services with other public transport services. Nine key priority areas have been identified. They include sustaining the rural transport programme; route development and expansion; integration with other statutory services; the accessibility of services; access for all; ensuring the rural transport programme delivers an optimum customer experience; children and young people; encouraging innovation in rural transport service provision; and monitoring the progress of the rural transport programme.

The authority works continually with Bus Éireann, as it provides services in rural areas, to provide for improvements on its contracted services and is looking at the expansion of these services now that the budget for public service obligation services has increased since 2016. The authority also promoted improvements in the regional cities which have seen phenomenal growth in passenger numbers. These improvements cannot be sustained unless significant improvement works are carried out by the city authorities in providing for bus priority measures, particularly now as car traffic congestion is growing rapidly. Improved town services have been delivered in Athlone following the success of the Sligo bus services enhancements. The work in enhancing the services provided by Bus Éireann has recently been delayed significantly as it has had to prioritise the changes required as part of its business recovery plan.

The work in enhancing the services provided by Bus Éireann has been delayed significantly in recent times as the company has had to prioritise the changes required as part of its business recovery plan. It is expected that Bus Éireann will complete that work shortly and that we can recommence the service enhancement work.

The authority recognises that there are many gaps in our service provision and there is a need for new services. We have focused on the lack of services in our main towns and we are prioritising the provision of new town services in Kilkenny, Carlow and Mullingar. These centres all have populations between 19,000 and 26,000 and all have minimal levels of service.

In exercising its functions the authority seeks to co-ordinate services to achieve the provision of an integrated public transport system of services and networks for all users. Wherever appropriate, we seek to integrate and co-ordinate services to provide for seamless travel options where change of bus or mode is required. This is relevant for the operation of the Local Link services, which can facilitate connection to mainline inter-urban services irrespective of the provider of those services. In fact, the NTA is the only body that can bring modes and operators together in an integrated service pattern to provide the best service for rural communities.

A number of key infrastructural items support public transport and are required to increase the attractiveness of public transport, especially in rural Ireland. These include bus shelters, accessible bus stops and information at stops. The provision of additional shelters has been greatly constrained in recent year by lack of funding. The contract for the provision and maintenance of bus shelters rests with the NTA rather than each operator. Therefore, we are now well placed to deliver a comprehensive shelter programme.

Information provision has improved. New bus stop poles and information have been rolled out on a pilot basis in Cork city. Real-time information, while not available on signs at every bus stop, is available on the Transport for Ireland website and app, as well as through an SMS text messaging service. However, our ambition to deliver in these areas has been constrained due to lack of funding. It is expected that funding will improve from 2019. However, the authority needs to be in a position to put in place the resources that can deliver on our ambitious programme of improvements. That concludes my presentation. I trust that we can answer any queries that arise.