Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I with to raise the issue of BusConnects. I commend all those working in public transport companies who have kept services operating throughout the pandemic, although there have been issues with some services in Galway city that negatively impacted on communities.

It appears that the BusConnects plans for Dublin have been significantly changed following the rounds of public consultation that have taken place. I understand another round of public consultation is set to begin shortly on the revised plans. The substantial consultation with public representatives and communities is to be welcomed and acknowledged. It is a productive approach to take. I also understand the National Transport Authority, NTA, intends to lodge a planning application in March and to start the project on a phased basis in 2022, with a completion date in 2027. While the timeframe seems excessive, the plan is a significant one that involves land acquisition, route changes and new vehicles. During the summer the NTA issued a tender for the supply of 200 electric buses for public transport.

I suggest that the focus on Dublin has been to the detriment of other cities such as Galway. Early last month, a public consultation opened on a cross-city link in Galway city, which aims to introduce a public transport corridor from University Road in the west of the city to the old Dublin Road in the east. Everybody in Galway would agree that this route is badly needed. However, except for this project there has been little progress on other more comprehensive and strategic BusConnects plans for Galway and other cities. That must change, notwithstanding the constraints on the resources and capacity of the NTA.

In February 2018, the Fine Gael-led Government allocated €200 million for transport investment in Galway, including public transport and cycling and walking infrastructure under the national development plan. The launch this week of the review of the plan by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, highlights an opportunity to make more progress on public transport development, including on the BusConnects plan. I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Transport come to the Seanad to debate and discuss the provision and expansion of public transport outside of Dublin in other cities and rural areas.