Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Transport the measures in the short and longer term he intends to take to tackle the problem of growing commuting times revealed in a recent DTO survey examining the length of journey times into Dublin's city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15486/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin Transportation Office's A Platform for Change provides the transport-planning framework for the development of the transport system in the greater Dublin area up to 2016 and is being used by my Department to guide investment decisions under the current five year capital envelope and the preparation of a ten year transport investment framework.

Major increases in the capacity of the public transport system are being delivered: (1) DART capacity has almost doubled since 2000; (2) 80 new diesel railcars were introduced earlier this year on suburban commuter services and a further 36 are to be delivered next year; (3) the peak capacity of Dublin Bus has increased by over 25%; (4) Bus Éireann has increased its services by around 40% from commuter towns, such as Drogheda, Navan and Naas, to the city centre; (5) to facilitate buses, my Department is funding a major programme to expand the quality bus corridor network and improve traffic management in the greater Dublin Area; and (6) the Luas is now in operation on the Sandyford green line and on the Tallaght red line and on schedule to carry 20 million passengers in its first full year of operation. Work is continuing on the DART upgrade project, phase 2 of which will deliver a further increase in capacity. Planning of the Kildare route project is also continuing, with a railway order application expected later this year. The completion of the M50, the port tunnel and the M50 upgrade will provide substantial additions to the city's strategic road network.

The Dublin Transportation Office also co-operates closely with the planning authorities to influence land use policies and planning decisions to favour more sustainable forms of transport at the planning stage. This is being achieved through integrated land use and transportation plans at local level and an input on major planning applications and appeals which are of strategic transport importance. All of this is being done with the spatial planning context provided by the national spatial strategy and the regional planning guidelines.

My Department is working on a ten year transport investment plan which will set the framework for further major capital expenditure on the capital's transport system. The Dublin Transportation Office is also working on a demand management strategy for the greater Dublin area, which is an essential complement to the investment programme.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Transport when Bus Átha Cliath will have the new buses promised under the national development plan delivered; the reason for not funding the planned fleet expansion; and the communication his Department has had with Dublin Bus on the matter. [15585/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Significant investment has been made to date under the national development plan in acquiring new buses for Dublin Bus. As a consequence, the capacity of the fleet has been increased by nearly 25% and the company is now carrying approximately 150 million passengers per annum. Approximately 400 buses have been purchased by Dublin Bus since 1999 with the assistance of Exchequer and EU funds.

Funding under the national development plan involves a combination of Exchequer, EU and CIE's own resources in delivering on the objectives contained in the plan.

I understand the company intends to purchase 70 new buses in 2005. The Exchequer is providing a sum of €1.2 million in part funding of these buses.

In addition to the significant Exchequer investment in Dublin Bus in recent years, there has also been significant investment made to date under the NDP in other modes such as Luas, suburban rail lines and the DART. In light of the significant expansion of rail capacity and considering demographic changes in the city, the management of Dublin Bus is examining whether capacity on certain corridors might be better utilised to meet growing demand elsewhere. I am awaiting the outcome of this review. I do, however, foresee an expansion in the bus market in the greater Dublin area in the coming years, involving participation by Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and private operators. In this regard, my Department is currently in discussions with the parties concerned on the appropriate framework to give effect to such expansion.