Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for bringing this important issue to the attention of the House and to my attention. As the Deputy will be aware, I do not have an operational role in Dublin Bus and nor do I make decisions as regards individual bus routes. These are matters for the company in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, which is the regulator. The funding of public service obligation services is governed by a public transport contract between the NTA and Dublin Bus.

The Deloitte cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann was published in January 2009. The review found Bus Éireann to be largely efficient. However, it identified some scope for greater efficiencies in Dublin Bus. Following the publication of that report, Dublin Bus undertook an extensive review of its bus network and subsequently announced its plans for the reorganisation of routes and timetables. The objective of the redesign is to provide current and future bus customers with a service that will be modern, accessible, integrated, easy to understand, punctual and frequent.

The redesign is delivering real and tangible benefits to the vast majority of bus users. For example, when completed later this year, there will be a doubling in routes with frequency of ten minutes or better. A total of 60% of customers will be carried on high frequency routes whereas this stood at 23% previously. There will also be increased interchange opportunities with heavy and light rail services. The redesign will reduce the lay-over of buses in the city centre and improve traffic flows, thereby leading to an improved city centre environment.

I understand that Dublin Bus has held over 30 public meetings and 250 meetings with key stakeholders as part of its consultation programme. All changes are advertised in advance through social, national and local media as well as leaflet drops to houses in areas serviced by the bus routes where changes occur. Dublin Bus is continuing to ensure best practice is achieved in the delivery of the service and that the new network enhances this efficiency as part of the network review progresses. All schedules reflect the new traffic levels.

I support the efforts of Dublin Bus to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness under the network direct programme and significant efficiencies and savings have already been achieved. Given the losses recorded by Dublin Bus in 2010 and further reductions in the PSO subvention due over the coming years, it is important that the Deloitte report and the network direct programme are fully delivered upon to ensure the viability of the service.

With regard to some of the specific routes referred to by the Deputy, route No. 13 was recently introduced offering Clondalkin and Ballymun a new travel option. A full consultation was held in the areas with a public road show held at Clondalkin library on 2 February and at the Ballymun civic centre on 3 February. Revisions were made to services and these were made available on the website prior to the changes. On Friday 23 September, details on the proposals were published on the Dublin Bus website, Twitter page and Facebook page and e-mails were sent to Deputies and councillors. From 26 to 30 September, a door-to-door leaflet drop was carried out and 21,900 leaflets were delivered. In the week beginning 26 September, notices appeared in the Northside People and the Southside People; on Wednesday 28 September, notices appeared in the Irish Independent; on Friday 30 September, notices appeared in the Evening Herald and information brochures were delivered to the local public libraries and credit unions.

I am informed there are no plans to change the Nos. 78 and 79 bus routes on Monday as has been suggested by some parties. A consultation was held in the Ballyfermot area throughout October with a road show in the Ballyfermot civic centre on 21 October 2010, with consultations taking at least four weeks. There will be no change to the service without advance notice of at least nine days to customers, including the distribution of leaflets to homes in the vicinity of the route.

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