Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

I understand the Deputy's comments and genuinely take them on board. As I have stated previously in the House, Members should by all means drop me a line regarding grievances they consider to be fundamental and I will bring them to the attention of Dublin Bus and have them looked into. That said, a serious quantity of money has been given to Dublin Bus. Between 2000 and 2010, €725 million has been paid in compensation for the public service obligation service. More direct routes have been put in place and there now are fewer diversions off quality bus corridors with bus routes being straightened up. Services are becoming far more frequent and 60% of customers now are being carried on the high-frequency routes. All Members will acknowledge that even the departure tables constitute a step in the right direction whereby people know buses will come at similar times each day. There are more frequent buses on many routes and from a customer service perspective in particular, the issue of better cross-city connections and better connections with the DART has come across well. I refer to improved punctuality with the highly successful real time passenger information, RTPI, signs of which the Deputy is aware. Moreover, additional use of technology, be it through applications or websites, also has increased effectiveness. Overall, it has become a more simple network. While I believe it needs time to bed in, the ongoing work is iterative and is having a dramatic impact for Dublin Bus and the Government will support it.

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