Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 312: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress to date with the implementation of integrated ticketing on the public transport systems; when full integrated ticketing will take effect on all forms of public transport in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8600/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 (Additional Functions) (Integrated Ticketing) Order 2002, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, was given statutory responsibility for the delivery of an integrated ticketing system. The contactless smartcard-based system will enable a passenger to use a single ticket on one or more scheduled public transport services, by road and by rail, irrespective of the transport operator involved and will be introduced on a phased basis, initially in the Dublin area. In April 2004, the launch of smartcards by a private operator, Morton's Coaches, on its services, in conjunction with the RPA, was a first step. Yesterday, another important step was taken with the launch of smartcards on Luas services. The RPA currently project that Dublin Bus and possibly some additional private operators, will follow with smartcards on services later by the end of this year or early next year. The DART is expected to follow next year. In early 2006 passengers should be able to travel on both bus and Luas services in Dublin using one integrated smartcard. Integration using smartcards with other operators is projected to follow shortly thereafter.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 313: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of letters his Department has received regarding the west on track campaign; if he has responded to this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8610/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has received letters on a regular basis over the past three years regarding the west on track campaign in relation to the western rail corridor, and has generally adhered to the timescales set out in its customer services charter in replying to all such letters received. My Department has also received a large volume of pre-printed postcards and petition emails as part of that campaign, which it is not the practice to reply to individually. The issues raised in the west on track campaign are being considered by the working group approved last year, by my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Deputy Séamus Brennan, to carry out an examination of the proposal to re-open the western rail corridor. The working group and its subgroups have been considering the question of the feasibility of the western rail corridor since June last year and I understand that they may now be nearing the end of their deliberations. Accordingly, I expect to receive a report in the coming months.