Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last week, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, stated that urban transport could be transformed in six months under the stimulus plan. I certainly hope that is the case. The funding of €115 million for active travel, public transport and infrastructure is very welcome and much needed. It follows on from the allocation of €200 million under Project Ireland 2040 for BusConnects in Galway city and other cities. Although the focus on major cities is important, many of them have public transport links whereas many rural towns and communities have very poor public transport services. I warmly welcome any extra investment in public transport and active travel, but it took years for me and other public representatives to secure a couple of extra bus services on the main routes in Connemara, for example. Such extra services are very welcome, but they are not sufficient to successfully encourage greater use of public transport, particularly outside core urban areas. Unfortunately, bus services in some areas have been reduced or stopped altogether, such as the No. 456 service between Carndonagh and Galway city. That impacts negatively on everyone who needs the services, whether they be pensioners, those who do not drive, students or workers.

Reducing pressure on our main transport routes is very important. All Senators are aware that the carbon tax is projected to continue to rise in the coming years. It is important that we ring-fence those extra resources for the National Transport Authority to ensure adequate increases in public transport frequency and the provision of additional routes in rural towns and other rural areas. I hope the Minister, Deputy Ryan, will come to the House in the autumn to address this very important issue.