Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 268: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of the number of bus licences issued by his Department by each category of licence in the last year for which figures are available; and the price of the licence in each category. [14107/06]

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

Prior to obtaining a passenger licence from my Department, an applicant must first obtain a public service vehicle licence from the Garda Síochána. The Garda must be satisfied that the character and previous conduct of the applicant are such that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence; the vehicle is safe for the carriage of passengers and complies with roadworthiness regulations under the Road Traffic Acts and the use of the vehicle as a public service vehicle is covered by insurance.

My Department issues three categories of passenger licence, and the details and cost of each are set out in the 1932 Act. An annual continuous licence operates every week of the year and the fee is €7.62. An annual seasonal licence operates for the season to which it relates, such as that applying to a tour or college, and the fee is €5.08. An occasional passenger licence operates for a specific event and expires once the event, such as a concert or race week, finishes. The fee is €0.63 for one event or €5.08 for more than one event such as a race week. These fees will be revised as part of the reform of the 1932 Act.

From 1 January 2005 to date, my Department issued 161 licences to private bus operators, the breakdown being 28 annual continuous licences, 56 annual seasonal licences and 77 occasional licences. These licences are granted under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932. Proposals to provide for the replacement of that Act with a modern legislative code, which will result in the development of a new regulatory framework governing public transport generally, are being advanced in my Department.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 269: To ask the Minister for Transport where details of bus licences are published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14108/06]

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

The details of all bus passenger licences issued by my Department are available on request from the bus licensing division of my Department. Copies of all licences where requested are also available free of charge.