Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the number of additional passengers envisaged once the 170 additional buses are operational on quality bus corridors by 2008; when real time passenger information at bus stops will be implemented; and when a fully integrated ticketing system using smart cards will be operational. [23401/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Dublin Bus has informed me that the 100 additional buses (not 170) currently being brought into service have a capacity — seated and standing — of 9,400 with projected passenger carryings for a full year of 6.5 million passengers.

The position in relation to real time passenger information at bus stops is that Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath are both proceeding with the introduction of automatic vehicle location technology on board buses. This technology will create the platform for the deployment of real time passenger information. Bus Átha Cliath has put forward proposals for funding for a roll-out of real time passenger information via electronic displays at bus stops. The Department is seeking further information from the company.

The position in relation to integrated ticketing is that the Integrated Ticketing Project Board has agreed a timeline for the delivery of an integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area. This involves the integrated ticketing system being launched initially on the scheduled services of Dublin Bus, LUAS and Morton's Coaches, a private bus operator, within 27 months of the decision to proceed with the project, i.e. by end-August 2009.

Iarnród Éireann's DART and commuter rail services will be included within a further 12 months, and Bus Éireann will implement a pilot scheme on one of its commuter routes in the Greater Dublin Area. It is also envisaged the other private bus operators will also join the integrated ticketing system over this timeframe. In the meantime a number of magnetic strip integrated tickets which allow transfer between bus and DART/commuter rail, bus and LUAS, and LUAS and DART/commuter rail are currently in place.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine his proposals for the public transport markets regarding new competitors and the schedule of delivery of these changes. [23402/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to improve bus services under Transport 21 by reforming bus licensing to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants. The new licensing regime will be designed in a manner consistent with the recently adopted new EU Regulation on Public Service Obligations in the transport sector.

While it is not possible at this time to indicate a precise time as to when the legislative proposals on regulatory reform of the bus market will be published, applications and notifications from bus operators will continue to be processed under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, or the notification system with reference to the Transport Act 1958, as appropriate.