Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Transport when a fully integrated ticketing system will be operational in Dublin. [3128/06]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress which has been made in relation to introducing integrated ticketing for public transport in the greater Dublin area; if the system will be fully operational during 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3344/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 173 together.

The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is the statutory body responsible for the delivery of a multi-operator system of integrated public transport ticketing using smartcard technology. The proposed system is, in line with international experience, being introduced on a phased basis, initially in the Dublin area.

As part of the phased introduction of smartcard-based integrated ticketing, in April 2004, Morton's Coaches, in conjunction with the RPA and as a 'proof of concept', successfully launched smartcards on its services. Last March, another step was taken with the launch of smartcards on Luas services. To date, approximately 11,000 smartcards have been purchased for use on Luas services. The Luas smartcard deployment is helping to obtain important feedback from passengers and provide operational experience for the next stage of integrated ticketing.

Following an inconclusive procurement procedure in 2005, the RPA is finalising proposals for a revised implementation plan. The RPA is currently discussing these proposals with transport operators and the outcome will determine a revised target implementation process and timescale for the phased rollout of integrated ticketing. I understand from the RPA that it is unlikely that the full integrated system will be in place by the end of 2006.

I expect the ongoing discussions to conclude shortly, after which a revised implementation plan and timescale will be presented to my Department.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received the review of Dublin Bus routes from Dublin Bus; the level of public consultation that has been engaged in while considering this review; the plans for consultation with the public following its outcome; the number of buses which will be provided to the company in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3123/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Dublin Bus commissioned transport consultants Martin Voorhees Associates, MVA, to carry out a strategic bus network review in summer 2005.

I have been advised by Dublin Bus that MVA has consulted with a range of stakeholders such as the four local authorities in Dublin, the Dublin Transportation Office and the Rail Procurement Agency during the course of its work. It is the intention of Dublin Bus to hold a public consultation exercise on the review.

On 20 January, Dublin Bus submitted to my Department an application for funding for additional buses, which has due regard to the emerging findings of the network review. I will make a decision on the number of buses to be provided in 2006 when my Department's assessment has been completed.