Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason a licence has not been granted for Dublin Bus to operate the proposed 141 bus route from Swords to Dublin city centre via Santry, Whitehall and Drumcondra; the further reason the new Swords express service and the proposed Dublin Bus 141 route cannot both receive a licence as they have proposed significantly different routes; when he will reform the bus licensing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26203/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Dublin Bus is not subject to licensing in accordance with the provisions of the 1932 Road Transport Act, as amended. However, the initiation or alteration of a bus service by the Company is subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirement of giving advance notice to my Department and to compliance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators.

On the 23rd October, 2006, Dublin Bus notified my Department of its proposal to introduce a new Route 141 service to operate between Swords and Rathmines via Drumcondra. At that time, my Department advised the Company that a decision on the proposal was being deferred until such time as an application from a private operator for a high frequency service from Swords via the Port Tunnel to the City Centre was finalised. Dublin Bus is aware of these procedures.

On the 3rd October, 2007, my Department issued a licence in accordance with the Road Transport Act, 1932 to the private operator concerned.

My Department has not refused the Dublin Bus Route 141 proposal, but is now considering the service taking into account the newly licensed service. My Department will revert to the Company as soon as possible on the proposal.

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.