Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Covid-19 health emergency has had a profound impact on the public transport sector due to the fall in passenger numbers and associated drop in fare revenues. The Government has committed to ensuring essential transport services are protected and supported for the duration of the level 5 restrictions. The continued operation of public transport is vital and, as such, it is designated among the essential services that have carried on through the crisis. I thank both the public and commercial operators and their staff for their ongoing work in providing this vital service.

A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services through the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures throughout the network. The Government's living with Covid plan clearly sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the five risk levels. The plan also provides guidance for the public on using public transport at the different risk levels, including a stipulation that wearing face coverings is mandatory and encouraging use of off-peak services and sustainable active travel options where feasible.

Due to the rising incidence of Covid-19 infections, for a period of six weeks from midnight on 21 October, the Government introduced level 5 restrictions for the whole country. At the current level of risk, public transport operators are restricted to using only 25% of the passenger-carrying capacity on their vehicles. The plan's guidance on working from home where possible and the closure of social, leisure and other facilities have reduced the demand for public transport well below normal levels. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it, including front-line workers and, critically, students. The move to 25% capacity utilisation on public transport is one of a suite of measures introduced under level 5 following recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET.

Issues arising from the reduction in capacity presented on some services at the commencement of level 5, especially on early morning bus services in the Dublin region. Both my Department and the National Transport Authority, NTA, are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice. Since the move to level 5, the NTA and the bus operators in Dublin, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, have reallocated a number of vehicles and drivers across the network to enhance the capacity in areas that are experiencing capacity issues. Approximately 43 buses have been redeployed by Dublin Bus since 22 October to mitigate the impact of the capacity restrictions and reduce the number of passengers being left at stops. Where possible, these vehicles are being deployed during peak demand times, particularly for school travel. These measures are assisting in reducing passengers waiting at stops. Currently, all available vehicles are in use. While the reallocation will ease the situation, it remains the case that there will be instances of people having to wait for another bus. The advice is, as I said, to try to avail of other modes of transport, if possible, and to bear in mind that journeys may take longer at this time.

The NTA is monitoring very closely the effects of the reduction in capacity, in conjunction with the public transport operators. They will continue to take direction on this matter from the relevant Government emergency planning bodies, including the Department of Health and NPHET. Any actions being undertaken by the NTA and the public transport operators will be guided by those agencies and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.

We are very aware that this is a real issue for people, especially in Dublin and, in particular, for students. It was especially bad in the first few days of the level 5 restrictions but it improved slightly in the second week. We are monitoring the situation week by week. Dublin Bus has done a remarkable job, not only in putting on additional buses but also in terms of its workers coming in to do earlier shifts to cope with the morning peak in demand. I have been talking to both Dublin Bus and the NTA about this and they are very aware of the difficulties. The tradition and attitude in Dublin Bus is that one does not leave a child at a bus stop. Drivers have a huge responsibility in this area and it is not easy. That is the culture in the company and I hope it helps to alleviate the current difficulties.

See this speech in context