Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and advise him further that the review of the Sligo town bus service is not looking at specific routes in isolation. Rather, the NTA is working to develop a bus network in Sligo town which can better serve the multiple needs of people who wish to use public transport there. For example, the NTA is examining the potential of a corridor in which the existing S1 and S2 routes and the propose new S3 route might integrate to offer people a higher frequency of service where demand merits it.

I wish to reassure Deputy MacSharry that the NTA is continuing to progress the development of bus services in Sligo town and hopes to complete the work now underway, including the preparation of costings, early this year. I trust this clarifies the position with regard to the third Sligo town bus route. Out of a significant budget for public transport, the Department has allocated €5.6 million in funding for the NTA to begin investing in the new Connecting Ireland plan. I will pass on the Deputy's concerns to the Minister, including the fact that the nub of the issue is funding.

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