Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made to date in the implementation of the Deloitte Report dealing with bus market reform; if he has set a timeframe for Dublin Bus to achieve certain goals; his views on whether CIÉ is capable of providing adequate bus services at a reasonable cost to the Exchequer in view of recent cutbacks in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39617/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Dublin Bus has reported good progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Deloitte report on the cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. In line with the recommendations of the report and taking account of the need to reduce its operating deficit, Dublin Bus is, inter alia, redesigning its network based on most recent pattern of demand/demographics and reducing the number of variations of bus routes. It is also working on eliminating unnecessary duplication of services, creating even headways to improve reliability and reduce the potential for "bunching" of services and on the introduction of automatic vehicle location and real time passenger information. Dublin Bus expects, in line with the recommendations of the Deloitte report, to complete the redesign of its network by January, 2010.

In relation to the capability of the CIÉ companies to provide adequate bus services at reasonable cost, the Deloitte report acknowledges that both Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are efficient operators but that there is scope for greater efficiencies in Dublin Bus to improve its network design and operation. The decline in passenger revenue during 2009 combined with the withdrawal of fuel duty rebate, rising costs and the maintenance of subvention at prior year levels has nevertheless required the CIÉ companies to pursue a range of measures including service changes, a wage freeze and work practice changes to reduce their operating deficits and maintain financial viability while maintaining services at the highest level possible.

In this context the decision by Dublin Bus, as part of its cost recovery plan, to reorganise its network to reflect changes in demand based on 120 fewer buses is consistent with the conclusions in the Deloitte Report.