Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Committee on Transport

National Transport Authority: Engagement

2:00 am

Mr. Hugh Creegan:

Sorry. As I said earlier, we now have our own tools to identify in a proactive way where capacity constraints are emerging. It will not be an overnight thing but you will see us get better over the next number of months at putting in extra capacity to try to address some of the needs. I absolutely cannot say we will not still have full buses. We are because transport is growing at a phenomenal rate. It grew 10% last year overall. It is really hard to keep up with it but we will get better at that.

In terms of starting additional routes or injecting services to start at later points, conceptually, we have no difficulty doing that. It is a case of whether that suits that particular route or if it would be better still starting at the start point but making sure there is enough capacity at the alternative start point. Conceptually, there is no prevention to doing it. It is a matter of designing a system that is more understandable to people. It is a case-by-case basis. Some places will do that. Other places will say let us start at the beginning with the extra service and pick people up from the start.

I will pass to Mr. Gillard for questions on electrification.