Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The Deloitte report is excellent in many ways. It identifies the key needs of consumers and taxpayers and points out the failure of Dublin Bus in particular to provide a 21st century service. Reliability and efficiency are critical to bus travel. A dynamic and modern service is needed for the 21st century, as is a commitment to change in the management of traffic in the capital city. Quality bus corridors must be developed without breaks because otherwise they cannot be effective. We also need to address the city's congestion points.

More important, after 20 years of Fianna Fáil-led Governments, we need a change in thinking and policies in the Department of Transport. Ten years ago the Department of the Taoiseach published a document on reforming the bus market in Dublin which clearly set out the need for competition. While Minister for Transport, the late Seamus Brennan proposed to open 25% of the bus market in Dublin to competition and choice. Ten years later, that report continues to gather dust in the Department of Transport and nothing has changed. Notwithstanding the Dublin Transportation Authority Act 2008, we need further legislation to reform the Road Transport Act 1932 if we are to provide for proper competition.

The Deloitte report notes the lack of confidence in bus transport in Dublin, even at the height of the boom. Between 2005 and 2007, the number of bus commuters actually decreased and the speed of buses became progressively slower. A fundamental reappraisal is needed and we need to go beyond the glossy brochures to make radical changes to the system.

I have met managers of Dublin Bus on a number of occasions and found them to be dedicated and professional. I held at least five meetings in various parts of the city to identify the problems arising with the bus service. Dublin Bus representatives have attended all of these meetings and have promised change. I accept that the management of Dublin Bus is committed to change. Dublin Bus employees also attended the meetings, including in some cases drivers who were facing the prospect of unemployment. I acknowledge the professionalism of the workers at Dublin Bus. During the boom years, many people went to work for Dublin Bus and a considerable number of committed and dedicated people were concerned about losing their jobs. I will not pursue that matter further while negotiations are ongoing with the Labour Relations Commission, other than to say I hope a successful conclusion is reached which allows the 290 staff in question to continue working at Dublin Bus and avoids the proposed mothballing of 120 buses.

We need to change everything in terms of bus transport. I ask the Minister to circulate the document prepared by the Dublin Transportation Office outlining the parts of the greater Dublin area which lack access to bus transport. The Joint Committee on Transport should meet with Dublin Bus and private transport providers to ask them how they will go about providing proper bus services for people in these areas. Other than school bus services, no opportunity is being given to private contractors in this city. They have suitable buses but these are not being used. It is clear in regard to those contractors who were given licences that Dublin Bus abused its privileged position to put them out of business. That has been proven by various documents. Dublin Bus and the Department of Transport need to be more dynamic. The transport committee can make a real contribution in this regard. Committees of these Houses are often regarded as talking shops but by bringing together all the important players with the Minister we could make progress on these issues.

People coming into the city face a shortage of park and ride facilities. Every day of the week, thousands of people drive into Dublin from rural areas because they have no access to public transport. They do not even have the option of switching to a bus on the outskirts of the city. Park and ride facilities must be provided at strategic locations across the greater Dublin area. I am aware that the county managers of Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Louth are considering this issue but we need to push it. I am not aware of any official in the Department of Transport who takes responsibility for park and ride facilities but somebody needs to be put in charge of the matter.

A lengthy process must be followed before a quality bus corridor can be established. The Minister has proposed to assign a person to examine route proposals and hold public hearings on them before decisions are made. We must make it simple to establish a corridor even if that requires fast tracking the decision-making process.

The Deloitte report identified the need for changes to operational practices within Dublin Bus. The report, under the heading summary recommendations on page 21 states:

The above programme of work represents fundamental change for the company. It should be treated as a major change and transformation programme.

That is what is needed now. This is part of the way forward. It is only through working together that we, Members of the Oireachtas, including Ministers and officials from the Department of Transport, in putting pressure on the unions and management of Dublin Bus will ensure that change will be achieved.

The report states that €2 million can be saved through the reorganisation of bus routes in Finglas. Obviously, changes in work practices will also be required. Given there are on average 14 major routes a great deal more money could be saved. While a saving of €2 million might not be possible on all routes, it is possible to achieve savings of at least €20 million through the reorganisation of these routes. We can no longer allow a situation whereby buses are out of service. Some 20% of the time there is no one on our buses but the driver, which makes no sense. It is a nonsense and a complete and utter waste of resources. We need to re-examine work practices and to ensure this is not allowed to continue. While bus drivers have rights — I support them 100% — they should not use an out of service bus when going for their coffee break or whatever. They should use their car or other means to do so. That is a fundamental issue.

Perhaps the Acting Chairman would indicate at this stage how much time I have left.

See this speech in context