Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is the third time I have made that request. I would welcome the information which I first requested a number of months ago.

I welcome the comments in respect of the Leap card, Wi-Fi provision, real-time passenger information, the Transport for Ireland website, the national journey planner, etc. Even though people state that these are small-scale developments, they make a significant contribution towards encouraging people to take public transport. Collectively, these are all qualitative measures which improve one's experience on public transport. By and large, I have been obliged to deal with most of them in the Department and I am of the view that the enhancements which have been introduced in the past 18 months are fabulous. Once someone returns to public transport and begins to avail of these enhancements, he or she will come to the view that public transport is both much more comfortable and reliable. He or she will also be able to manage his or her time much better.

The Senator also inquired about free travel and the analysis contained in the double-year surveys. A working group is currently examining the position with regard to free travel. This matter comes under the remit of the Department of Social Protection but my Department does have a representative on the working group. The issue raised by the Senator is being analysed at present. The outcome of the group's work will be a matter with which the Minister for Social Protection will be obliged to deal. It is clear, however, that there is a need to analyse the position from the point of view of volume, etc., in order to ensure that the data we are receiving is accurate.

Senator Heffernan referred to the operation of timetables. This is a matter to which consideration must be given. I have asked the NTA to provide integrated timetables across the country. In view of the issues raised by a number of Senators in respect of the changes introduced by Bus Éireann in recent times - similar changes will continue to be introduced - it is imperative that we should be in a position to obtain the full picture of the services available, from an integrated point of view, throughout the State. In other words, it should not just be a case of stating that Bus Éireann offers particular services. Information on the services provided by Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and private bus operators in respect of specific areas and towns should be made available. This would illustrate for members of the public - in a complementary way - the volume of services being made available by a range of providers. I am glad the Senator raised this issue because I wanted to outline the position in clear terms.

The NTA has a responsibility to monitor the position regarding timetables and the provision of contracted services in order to ensure that private operators are providing services in accordance with their contracts. I have received a number of complaints - I have actually witnessed this myself - in respect of a number of buses parking in various towns in the midlands, the mid-west, etc., at the same time when the schedules show that they should not be there. Something has to be happening in this regard in the context of some operators - be they public or private - positioning themselves to be able to pick up passengers before their competitors. If this is the case, it means that the public is not being provided with a fully integrated service. I have challenged the NTA to investigate the position in respect of this matter. Obviously, that will be difficult but it must be done.

I appreciate the comments made by Senator Conway. Dare I say it, but there is probably no one in this House who uses public transport more than the Senator. In that context, his comments are very much appreciated. I will not become involved in the debate on the standard of coffee available on rail services throughout the country.