Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 29: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views on the Dublin bus network direct and its impact on communities across the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8595/11]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 49: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide a guarantee that Dublin Bus will not be hit with further cutbacks and planned cuts to Dublin Bus routes will not go ahead; and the supports, financial or otherwise, that will be made available to Dublin Bus. [8619/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number of bus drivers that will lose their jobs as a result of network direct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8596/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 49 and 59 together.

The Deloitte report on the cost and efficiency of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann identified significant scope for the redesign and more efficient operation of the Dublin Bus network to provide a more attractive service for existing and potential users. The redesign would achieve more frequent, streamlined and reliable services. Following publication of the report, Dublin Bus undertook an extensive review of its bus network and announced plans for the reorganisation of routes and timetables. During the review it consulted key stakeholders, customers and local representatives. The redesigned routings are being introduced on a phased basis to allow for a manageable and orderly process to take place and are expected to be completed by the middle of this year.

In 2011 Dublin Bus will receive an estimated €72.5 million in Exchequer subvention through the National Transport Authority. In the current difficult economic environment I intend to encourage efficiencies and rationalisation in Dublin Bus. I want the authority and the other agencies to work together to encourage more people out of their cars by improving their experience of public transport through greater efficiencies such as Network Direct and other improvements such as real-time passenger information and integrated ticketing. Notwithstanding the enhanced service provided by Dublin Bus as a result of Network Direct, the company must implement further cost-saving measures to reduce the level of operating losses which amounted to approximately €13 million in 2009. Continuous efficiency in the provision of public service obligation services will be my priority in the current fiscal environment, as increased Exchequer support is not realistic at this time.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I found the Minister of State's response rather depressing. It was the same stuff I had heard from Dublin Bus when I asked it about the savage cutbacks to bus services across Dublin. I remind the Minister of State that before the general election, a policy document suggested "the bus remains the only public transport option with the short and medium term capacity to meet the growing transport needs of an increasing urban population". It referred to the "need to dramatically reform our bus networks to increase capacity, frequency and attractiveness as a public transport option". It correctly pointed out that for every bus taken off the road, 90 cars went on the road. In that context, I ask the Minister of State to scrap the Dublin Bus network review immediately. Despite its innocent name, the review is nothing but a savage, unjust and counter-productive onslaught on bus services across the city. It will result in 200 buses being removed from the bus network and 200 jobs being lost. It will cause immense suffering among the elderly, the disabled, schoolchildren and low-income families. As part of the review, some 23 routes are being scrapped, while the frequency of dozens of other routes is being reduced. As a result of these cuts, there will be an additional 2,000 cars on the road. In their pre-election manifestos the Government parties stated we needed more buses to take cars off the road.

I appeal to the Minister of State, if he is serious about his commitment to the bus network, to give a commitment to scrap the review immediately, reinstate bus services and reverse the cuts that have affected the most vulnerable people in our society, including the elderly. Perhaps he is looking for the money needed to reverse the €30 million cut in the Dublin Bus subvention. I have heard a figure of €25 million bandied about in the context of the forthcoming visits of President Obama and the Queen. We should not bother bringing President Obama and the Queen here. Instead, we should use the €25 million to increase the subvention to Dublin Bus. Would the money not be far better spent in that way?

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Deputy suggesting the Queen is more important than the elderly?

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for his passionate reply.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The visit will bring tourists to the country.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Queen is elderly - she is in her 80s.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

She will not be using Dublin Bus.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As a former tourism executive, I am aware of the huge merit of such visits and their potential for the country. As far as the Government is concerned, the review that has been carried out is working. The main features of the redesigned network are an increase in the number of high frequency routes, more direct alignment of routes to and from key areas of work and leisure, greater use of quality bus corridors, more even headways between departures, fewer route variations, adjustments to make the network easier to understand, an increase in cross-city services and improved connections with rail and Luas transport modes.

Huge progress has been made with Dublin Bus which is very efficient in what it does. I do not want to be dumbing-down some of that work. I compliment those who are working together to create these efficiencies in a difficult climate while avoiding industrial relations disputes. I compliment Dublin Bus on the manner in which it has introduced a new route network map. The provision for passengers of real-time timetable information is part of the Government's plan to try to push more people towards public transport, particularly the bus network. All of this should help Dublin Bus to safeguard its future. I suggest the results being achieved by Network Direct as part of this have been encouraging. My office has received numerous compliments about some of the services being delivered and the efficiencies taking place.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no doubt that Dublin Bus has done some significant work. It is one of the least subsidised operators in Europe. I refer to the extent to which the State provides funds for Dublin Bus. I suggest the ongoing review of the bus network in Dublin is designed to lead to cutbacks. That is one of the big problems I have with it. Routes are being amalgamated in a way that does not take account of the needs of communities, people who are disabled and those who find it hard to get from A to B for various reasons. The manner in which we are driving the idea of cost-cutting is putting a great deal of pressure on Dublin Bus. The invaluable service the company provides for communities cannot be weighed in terms of how much money is handed out or how much it costs. I reiterate the appeal made by Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett. The Government should try to stop the cuts being made by Dublin Bus. Will the Minister of State support Dublin Bus by giving it more funding and stopping the cutbacks?

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

To be fair, it is impossible to find more funding in this environment. I have some sympathy for the argument that the subvention given to Dublin Bus is low by comparison to that given to similar operators in other countries. It is a fair point and one I have made on previous occasions. The economic environment in which we find ourselves is very unfortunate. If we take money from another area, we will be left in an impossible position. If Deputies Dessie Ellis and Richard Boyd Barrett feel passionately about specific hardship issues, I will be happy to take on board anything they might have to say inside or outside this House in that regard. I will help them to make the case to the relevant authorities if it is realistic to do so. It is up to them to make the case in the first instance.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the Minister of State's offer and will take him up on it. However, this is a much bigger issue. Thousands of elderly people in Dublin, including those who are immobile or disabled, have been affected by cuts to many bus routes, including the Nos. 3, 5, 10, 13a, 25x and 38c routes. There has been a disastrous attack on bus services, including Nitelink services, which are needed by some of our most vulnerable citizens such as young people and low-income families. I appeal to the new Government which before the general election correctly highlighted the importance of maintaining bus services to scrap the review which is nothing but a cover for cutbacks. It should reinstate bus services and stop the review now. The Minister of State has said there is no money to do so. While I accept the IMF stuff, I do not accept the rationale behind paying off bankers, etc. I have made a serious proposal. I ask the Minister to ask the Taoiseach not to spend €25 million or €30 million on-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The point the Deputy raises is irrelevant. He should ask a question.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

May I ask where is the money?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy must ask a question about Dublin Bus.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am asking the Minister to ask the Taoiseach not to spend €25 million on the visit of two individuals to this country. The money should be spent instead on increasing the subvention for Dublin Bus and providing the funds required to reinstate bus services which have been cut across Dublin.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is populist nonsense.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Deputy not realise the damage that would be done if the invitations were withdrawn?

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister of State ask where we will get the €25 million?

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The review will not be stopped. It is not fair to describe its purpose as being to secure cutbacks. Its purpose is to obtain as much as possible for what we have. I have made an offer on specific hardship cases which need to be addressed and this will be done. We must be realistic, however.

While routes and other issues raised by the Deputy are matters for Dublin Bus, in a number of cases with which I am familiar routes have been extended and amalgamated rather than being cut. I do not accept the loss of services is at the level described by Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I do not wish to introduce a divisive tone to the debate, in November 2010 the Fine Gael Party published-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy must ask a supplementary question.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----a document which expressed an interest in introducing the model of reform implemented in London where some bus routes were privatised. I ask the Minister to consider having the Joint Committee on Transport investigate this matter. As a member of the previous Joint Committee on Transport, I visited London with a committee delegation. We found that the model pursued for the London bus system was anything but effective in achieving cost savings and in terms of service delivery. The authorities had to spend substantial amounts trying to improve services which declined as a result of privatisation. Will the Minister ask the Joint Committee on Transport, once it has been constituted, to carry out a more detailed analysis or investigation of the Fine Gael Party proposal?

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I would not necessarily fully subscribe to the option to which the Deputy refers, every option is on the table and will be examined, including, if necessary, by the relevant committee.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While we all want Dublin Bus services to improve, difficulties arise when one tries to change services. I am involved in the Dublin Bus forum in Tallaght. As part of the consultation process, we asked for additional meetings to be held with members of the local community which relies on public transport. Will the review take into account factors such as age profile, local unemployment rates and so forth? I do not believe this is the case. Will the review and road shows take a flexible approach to making changes? Is the issue under consideration the financial viability of the routes in question? Anecdotal evidence suggests that while buses are full at specific times, it may not be financially viable to provide a full service throughout the day. In many cases, early morning bus services are the only means people have of travelling to work. Perhaps the review should consider the provision of a skeleton service at peak times to allow people to travel to and from work.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand and respect the reason this issue raises passions in local communities. We have encouraged as much consultation as possible. While I am open to correction, I understand demographic profiling has been done. I will ensure a full answer is provided to the Deputy's questions in this regard.

When I meet the relevant authorities I will emphasise again the need for skeleton services, particularly to serve areas on the outskirts of Dublin to enable people to commute in the mornings and evenings. The Deputy makes a good point in that regard.

Following the completion of the review, the success or otherwise of changes introduced by the National Transport Authority will be reviewed within six months. A safety valve is, therefore, available and will be used.