Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that cost cutting measures and rerouting plans being put in place by Dublin Bus will not adversely affect service to those who most depend on same [33489/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there is no ministerial role in the operation of Dublin Bus and the provision of services, including the rerouting of some services. It is a matter for the company in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, NTA. The funding of public service obligation, PSO, services is governed by a public transport contract between the NTA and Dublin Bus. That said, I have raised this issue with Dublin Bus repeatedly.

The Deloitte cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann was published in January 2009 and identified some scope for greater efficiencies in Dublin Bus. Following the report's publication, Dublin Bus undertook an extensive review of its bus network and subsequently announced plans for the re-organisation of routes and timetables. The objective of the redesign was to provide current and future bus customers with a service that will be modern, accessible, integrated, easy to understand, punctual and frequent.

I understand that Dublin Bus has held more than 30 public meetings and 250 meetings with key stakeholders as part of its consultation programme. All changes are advertised in advance through national and local media and through social media, as well as house leaflet drops to areas serviced by the bus routes where changes occur.

I support the efforts of Dublin Bus to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness under the Network Direct programme and significant efficiencies and savings already have been achieved. Given the losses recorded by Dublin Bus in 2010 and further reductions in the PSO subvention due over the coming years, it is important that the Deloitte report and the Network Direct programme are fully delivered on to ensure the viability of the service. In some instances, Network Direct has led to an increase in passenger numbers for some communities. I will continue to raise this issue with Dublin Bus to ensure the transport needs of many communities continue to be served. It is an iterative process.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State is aware that Dublin Bus has cut almost 200 buses in the Dublin region and the effects have been enormous. I disagree fundamentally with the premise that one must continue to cut and must make any system financially viable. It can be argued that Dublin Bus provides a great service and it is one of the least subsidised in Europe, which in itself speaks volumes. As an example of the bus cuts, four bus routes are being merged into one in one area of Finglas. The effect this has on communities and people such as old-age pensioners and those with wheelchairs who seek to get from A to B during the day is calamitous. It is highly unfair to communities that fought hard to get such services. I note the Minister of State stated that he has spoken to Dublin Bus but has asserted its operation is up to that company and the National Transport Authority. Ultimately, Members must ensure that people are serviced and that is the most important point.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should ask a question please.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Moreover, this only pertains to Dublin and I would hate to see the effects this will have in other areas outside Dublin. The Minister of State should continue to argue. I have attended many meetings in this regard right across the entire north-western area and in a manner that is replicated throughout the city, people are unable to get buses, are obliged to walk long distances and areas are not being served. This is my main worry and we have experienced a huge increase in traffic as a result.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I understand the Deputy's comments and genuinely take them on board. As I have stated previously in the House, Members should by all means drop me a line regarding grievances they consider to be fundamental and I will bring them to the attention of Dublin Bus and have them looked into. That said, a serious quantity of money has been given to Dublin Bus. Between 2000 and 2010, €725 million has been paid in compensation for the public service obligation service. More direct routes have been put in place and there now are fewer diversions off quality bus corridors with bus routes being straightened up. Services are becoming far more frequent and 60% of customers now are being carried on the high-frequency routes. All Members will acknowledge that even the departure tables constitute a step in the right direction whereby people know buses will come at similar times each day. There are more frequent buses on many routes and from a customer service perspective in particular, the issue of better cross-city connections and better connections with the DART has come across well. I refer to improved punctuality with the highly successful real time passenger information, RTPI, signs of which the Deputy is aware. Moreover, additional use of technology, be it through applications or websites, also has increased effectiveness. Overall, it has become a more simple network. While I believe it needs time to bed in, the ongoing work is iterative and is having a dramatic impact for Dublin Bus and the Government will support it.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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A brief question from Deputy Ellis.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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As for the amount of transport and the number of people using it, in some cases two and three bus routes are being merged into one. Proportionately, passenger numbers obviously will be a lot higher if one puts them all into a single bus. One must be careful about throwing out figures like that and the Minister of State should take on board that sometimes this is what is happening.