Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of plans to make available real time passenger information at bus stops and on mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36307/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the recently enacted Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA), when established, will have statutory responsibility for provision of integrated public transport information to passengers and the general public. This encompasses the provision of integrated public transport information in real time to passengers.

Bus Éireann is currently providing real time information on mobile phones on a limited trial basis, with plans for a wider launch shortly. Dublin Bus plans to provide a similar service over the next two years. I am not aware of any such plans by private sector bus operators.

I also support plans for real time passenger information at bus stops and I am informed that Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council are working on a solution to achieve this while taking account of regulatory issues and the likely changes next year to bus routes in Dublin arising from the construction of Metro North, Luas extensions and the Interconnector.