Written answers

Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Department of Transport

Public Transport

11:00 pm

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will prioritise bus licensing reform in order to introduce greater competition in view of the fact that his Government partners have recently advocated such a position; the contact he has had with his Government partners on this subject; if he will introduce such reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23344/08]

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on a new national transport regulator; the stage of preparation the proposed Public Transport Regulation Bill is at; the proposed heads of this Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23312/08]

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Transport if he plans to reform the bus licensing laws as they currently operate under the Road Transport Act 1932; if so, when he will publish the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23291/08]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 139 and 149 together.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to expedite the establishment of a Dublin Transport Authority, which will have the necessary powers to ensure the delivery of the integrated public transport system envisioned under Transport 21. The Dublin Transport Authority Bill has been published and is currently before the Dáil.

The DTA Bill sets out the mechanisms for the award of contracts for subvention in line with the new regime introduced under the new EU Regulation on Public Service Obligations in the transport sector, which will become mandatory from next year.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to improving bus services under Transport 21 by reforming the bus licensing provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants, both public and private. This commitment is consistent with recent statements from my Government partners in relation to the reform of the 1932 Act.

It is my intention that proposals for a new bus licensing regime will follow in subsequent legislative proposals to be contained in the Public Transport Regulation Bill. At this stage it is too early to be precise on the detail of the proposals except to confirm that the new Bill will deal with the replacement of the Road Transport Act 1932 and the provisions of the Transport Act 1958 that relate to the provision of bus services by the State bus companies. The new bus licensing regime will be designed in a manner consistent with the new EU PSO Regulation. It is envisaged that the new licensing structure will apply in respect of all commercial bus services, including those provided by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann, and that the powers to grant licences in the Greater Dublin Area will be given to the Dublin Transport Authority. The new Bill will also encompass provisions relating to the subvented bus market outside the Greater Dublin Area that are consistent with the EU PSO Regulation.

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 for new bus licences and notifications from State bus operators will continue to be processed under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, and the notification system with reference to the Transport Act 1958, as appropriate.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment for the examination of the need for a National Transport Regulator in the context of the overall review of the economic regulatory environment. This review is being progressed on an inter-departmental basis under the chairmanship of the Department of the Taoiseach.

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