Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 36: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has been briefed by Dublin Bus on their Network Direct Project to revise the bus network in the greater Dublin area; if he is concerned that the revised network and loss of a further 90 buses from the Dublin Bus fleet may leave some commuters particularly senior citizens and communities who are very dependent on the bus service at a serious disadvantage; if he will review the impact of the cutbacks to Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services and routes on commuters and bus dependent communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27041/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been briefed by Dublin Bus on the strategic overview of the bus network review.

The objective of the redesign of the Dublin Bus network 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, which will commence in July 2010 and proceed on a phased basis at two to three month intervals, will deliver real and tangible benefits to the vast majority of bus users. These benefits include: an improved traffic flow in the city centre; a doubling of the number of services with a frequency of ten minutes or better; 60% of customers will be served by high frequency services as opposed to 23% at present; a reduced layover of buses in the city centre resulting in improved traffic flows and an enhanced city centre environment; increased interchange opportunities with DART, and heavy and light rail; and more cross-city services.

The redesigned network will be supported by complimentary measures such as integrated ticketing and real-time passenger information.

These measures will result in the provision of high quality and efficient public bus services and reflect the commitment of the company to deliver better services at better value to the customer and taxpayer.

It is a matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, within the resources available to them from fare revenue and from the National Transport Authority for loss making public service obligation services, to decide on service levels and changes to services.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Obviously, the management of Dublin Bus has briefed a number of Deputies and the Minister on these changes. The public generally is still gravely concerned. First and foremost, it seems difficult to imagine that one can run a better service with the loss of 90 buses and 150 drivers.

The cutbacks this year are on top of cutbacks that the Minister forced on the company in previous years. For many, understanding how this could happen is difficult if there are to be fewer buses-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Could we have a question, please? Supplemental questions are not about imparting information.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How can this be done? For example, the Nipper service is being withdrawn from different parts of the city. Is the Network Direct project - I have the first three corridors in mind, namely, Dún Laoghaire, Blanchardstown and Lucan - not influenced by the fact that the PSO has been cut back by the Minister so significantly? This is an attempt to dress up the cutback.

The first direct route networks, located in the Finglas area, were proposed by Deloitte. I expressed a concern about the Deloitte report at a meeting of the transport committee, namely, that some commuters would be left with a significant walk to a bus. Instead of being five or seven minutes away, one could be ten or 15 minutes away. Being significantly further away from a route is a serious disimprovement for seniors and parents in Dublin's districts. Is it an attempt, at least in part, to dress up as improvements further significant cutbacks to the PSO imposed by the Minister? Has the Minister made any proposal so that lower income communities, those most dependent on buses, will not have a less valuable service? While a direct route might run through the community, the bulk of the community could have a disimproved service. Is this not a great matter of concern?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It would be if it were true but it is not. We are going to double the number of routes with a frequency of ten minutes or better. This is a considerable improvement. Some 60% of customers will be carried on high-frequency routes, these being the ten-minute routes in each direction. With the extra buses, some 23% are currently being carried.

It is difficult for people to imagine that things can be done more efficiently and effectively. In this country, we are slow to change and we like to stay with the tried and trusted. However, this system will be better. The aim is to ensure that, on average, no customer will be more than 300 metres from a bus stop. This is due to the way in which the routes will be laid out.

These are not just cutbacks dressed up. They comprise a genuine effort to provide good value for the taxpayer because the PSO money is tighter than it was. We cannot ask people to pay increased fares and we cannot subsidise an inefficient service. We want to make it more efficient. According to Deloitte, the estimated savings on the first corridor referred to by the Deputy will be as much as €3 million. There are 14 corridors around the city and one would not save up to €3 million on each, but one could certainly save some money. This would stay with Dublin Bus to provide an enhanced service.

In fairness to them, management and unions at Bus Átha Cliath did everything they could to try to provide an effective service once the decision was made. They believe that Deloitte's estimate on the Finglas route is slightly on the high side but they are confident they can save approximately €2.5 million on that route through the types of action we are discussing while simultaneously improving the service. It is win-win for everyone.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to raise other points with the Minister regarding integrated ticketing and automatic vehicle location, AVL. Will we see them in 2011 at long last?

A significant number of commuters may be 12 or 15 minutes away. Did the Minister specify a target? The British Government used to have targets for cities and the whole of the UK in terms of how long it took people to walk to a bus. Has the Minister asked Dublin Bus for such a target? In many parts of the city, including mine, one will be that bit further away on some routes. If one is a senior or a parent walking kids to a bus, the additional inconvenience could be significant. Dublin Bus's PSO is small relative to similar companies throughout the EU, so one can see why people are trying to make savings and be more efficient. We all want Dublin Bus to be as efficient as possible but there is still concern that disadvantaged communities might be left worse off.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Real-time passenger information will shortly be available via mobile telephone and on 500 on-street signs. The initial phase will be delivered by the end of this year.

The integrated ticketing project, integrating smartcards for Irish Rail, Luas, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and private bus operators, is progressing well. A rigorous testing regime has been put in place and the project is being tested in every way possible. We do not want to leave anything out because, if the system does not work from day one, there will be serious difficulties and the system could lose all credibility, which we do not want to occur. Subject to successful testing, Dublin Bus and Luas annual passholders will be migrated to integrated smartcards from late summer of this year, followed by a similar exercise involving an e-purse or pay-as-you-go system, like a mobile telephone system, in respect of Dublin Bus and Luas services when the scheme has been sufficiently tested.

The Deputy is right, in that there is no way to ensure everywhere currently in receipt of a service will have a better service. A service might be a little further away in some areas, but I assure the Deputy that the certainty of when buses will arrive, the information available on them and so on will make the service a good one. This is the way forward.