Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this interesting issue. I am not one who thinks it is a bad idea to bring up certain bus routes in Cork or anywhere in Ireland in the Dáil. I do not think any problem is too small for us to address because it may be a microcosm of what is happening elsewhere. I am grateful to Deputy McGrath for bringing it up, although I may indeed wash my hands of some of the responsibility for it because of the structures the State has for dealing with these situations. If this is a reflection of what is happening elsewhere, it is a good thing the Deputy brought it up today. I hope I will give the Deputy a reasonably positive response. I appreciate the fact the Deputy has raised the issue.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. Deputies will understand that the operation of Bus Éireann services is a matter for the company with oversight by the National Transport Authority, NTA. The NTA has entered into a contract with Bus Éireann for the provision of bus services in the State. In accordance with the terms of that contract, the day-to-day operation of those services is managed by Bus Éireann. The company is required to meet performance obligations on service delivery such as punctuality, services operated, vehicles in service and customer information. The NTA has invested in a significant improvement to subsidised bus services in Cork city. This has included the provision of cross-city services, increased frequency on existing services and new services linking residential areas to places of employment and education. Further investment has been made in the city bus fleet which is 100% fully accessible and an increase in capacity through the purchase and deployment of double decker buses. Passenger numbers have grown by 19.4% since 2013 to 12.6 million in 2017. However, the 2017 numbers were lower than forecast due to the period of industrial action at Bus Éireann. Further expansion of the Cork city network is planned in 2018. For example, there are improved services planned on the Ballincollig-Carrigaline corridor, including routes 216, 220, 220x and 223 and frequency improvements on routes 202, 207a, and 208. In addition, route 206 is planned to link with route 221 providing improved frequency to Glanmire via Cork Kent Station with the service also being extended to Cork Airport.

I am aware Bus Éireann has been experiencing some operational issues in the Cork area recently and that there have been some complaints regarding the non-arrival and late arrival of some services. This apparent degradation of services for the customer is not acceptable and it is a matter for the company to resolve the issues promptly. I take note of what the Deputy has said and presume the company will do the same.

I am advised the NTA is currently liaising with Bus Éireann regarding a number of complaints from Bus Éireann customers regarding problems with services in Cork that it has received recently and no doubt some of them are from Deputy McGrath. I understand the NTA wrote to Bus Éireann last week asking that the company revert to the authority as a matter of urgency with the steps being taken by it to resolve the underlying issues and mitigate the effects of them in the short term until permanent solutions are put in place. I assure the Deputy the NTA is continuing to monitor developments closely and has reminded Bus Éireann of its performance obligations under its contract. I look forward to this issue being resolved as soon as possible.

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