Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 312: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to meet the increasing demand for public transport on the route between Tallaght, Walkinstown and the city centre; if he proposes to increase the number of buses servicing this route at peak commuter times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17898/06]

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

The provision of services on a particular route is a matter for Dublin Bus itself having regard to the demand for such services and compliance with the requirements of the Transport Act 1958 and the administrative arrangements established to support those requirements.

In November 2005, I approved a proposal in relation to Luas services between Tallaght and the city centre, involving Exchequer funding, from the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) aimed at increasing passenger capacity on the Tallaght Luas line by 40%. At present between 30,000 and 40,000 passengers per day are being carried on the line. The increase in capacity will be achieved by increasing the length of the trams by 10 metres. This will mean that they will be the same length (40 metres) as trams on the Sandyford Luas line. The first of the extended trams will enter service in 2007 and the upgrade will be completed in 2008. The project will not involve interruption to services.