Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The Senator is correct in that the Luas has exceeded my expectations for its first few days of operation. The promotion of public transport is central to easing congestion in the greater Dublin area. A key element of this strategy is the delivery of quality bus corridors. As a result of work by the Dublin Transportation Office and the greater Dublin area local authorities, there are nine quality bus corridors currently in operation — Malahide, Lucan, Stillorgan, Finglas, North Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Swords and Blanchardstown. The quality bus corridors have proved very successful. Evidence of this success is provided by the QBC monitoring exercise of November 2003 which showed that average bus journey times have been up to 72% faster than those for cars during the morning peak time. Since the first QBC monitoring exercise undertaken in 1997, the number of cars crossing the canal cordon on QBCs has fallen by 25%, the supply of buses provided by Dublin Bus on QBCs has increased by 35%, and the number of bus passengers on QBC routes has increased by60%. As a consequence, quality bus corridors have changed commuting patterns, and the longer established QBCs — Malahide, Lucan and Stillorgan — are carrying twice as many people as a general lane of traffic. This is an indication of how successful they can be.

As the Senator is aware, the specific impact of QBCs depends on the individual corridors and their locations, but good examples of the benefits arising in general include improved access to centres of population, employment and shopping, regularised loading and parking facilities, traffic signals upgraded to urban traffic control systems, improved regional accessibility and the promotion of sustainable and environmental modes of travel. Associated benefits to highlight include operational and financial efficiencies for bus operators, an improved pedestrian environment, improved travel times, reduced accident rates and linkage and integration with other public transport modes. A further roll-out of quality bus corridors has been prioritised by my Department and in excess of €27 million has been allocated through the Department's traffic management grants to quality bus corridor development in 2004. This represents an increase on last year's investment of €16 million.

The ongoing development of quality bus corridors as part of a quality bus network is the responsibility of the quality bus network project office established early in 2003 by Dublin City Council. Funding for quality bus corridors remains a priority in the distribution of traffic management grants and substantial progress is being made in the development of several schemes. It must be recognised, however, that the necessary process of consultation can take time. For example, round table meetings must be organised to agree preliminary designs for schemes to go to public consultation stage in each local authority. Standard design details and specifications must be prepared and discussed with the quality bus network project office. Procedures for the planning, design, public consultation, procurement, construction and the financial arrangements for all projects must be agreed with the various agencies.

The current quality bus network programme has been developed in conjunction with local authorities, the Dublin Transport Office, the Garda and Dublin Bus. It is important to recognise that the designs for the bus priority measures in all schemes must take account of the needs of all road users. There have been significant safety benefits on routes from the provision of enhanced cycle, pedestrian and mobility impaired facilities as part of the overall route designs which also provide for accident remedial measures at existing black spot locations. However, it is not possible to provide facilities for all road users at all locations due to existing pinch points.

Works have commenced on several schemes, mainly in the Dublin city area. A total of 11 bus priority schemes went on public display throughout the Dublin region in March and April. These schemes are now at the detailed design stage. In general, there was a very positive response from the public to the schemes. The 11 schemes are Blackrock quality bus corridor; the Dundrum-Blackrock orbital quality bus corridor; the Pearse Street-Ringsend Road environmental improvement scheme; Howth Road quality bus corridor; the Howth-Ballymun orbital at Santry Avenue; the Howth-Ballymun orbital at Coolock Lane; Blanchardstown Road north and south quality bus corridor; Snugborough Road quality bus corridor; Newcastle Road; Naas Road quality bus corridor; and Dunshaughlin quality bus corridor.

While all Dublin City Council schemes were successful in securing agreement in the consultation process, South Dublin County Council's Newcastle Road scheme has been deferred for further information and the Naas Road scheme has yet to be approved by the Tallaght area committee. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council received objections to the Mount Merrion Avenue section of the orbital scheme and the Blackrock Village section of the Blackrock quality bus corridor. While these sections have been deferred for further study and consultation, the remainder of the schemes have been approved. The Dunshaughlin scheme has been delayed due to objections received during the planning consultation process.

There is no doubt that the introduction of quality bus corridors has proved very successful. The programme to develop quality bus corridors even further will encourage more people to switch from cars to public transport. I thank Senator Morrisey for tabling this matter and providing me with the opportunity to provide the information outlined to the House.