Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the rolling out of integrated ticketing and real time information systems on bus services across the greater Dublin area; when both of these systems will be fully in place and operational across the GDA: if he has been briefed by Dublin Bus management on the network review that it is currently undertaking; when the revised network will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12771/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Transport when the integrated ticketing project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 103 together.

The Integrated Ticketing project is being introduced in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) on a phased basis, based on smartcard technology. A progressive approach is being adopted to allow customers to familiarise themselves with using the new system and to permit transport operators to undertake the necessary testing with the integration of the technologies involved. The project is now firmly in the implementation phase and extensive testing of elements of the system is already underway.

The system will be progressively rolled out over the coming months on Dublin Bus and Luas services, such that, by end-2010, smartcards with a "pay-as-you-go" function will be available to some 75% of public transport customers in the GDA. Private bus operators are also participating in the scheme and it is anticipated that a number of these operators, along with DART and commuter rail services and Bus Éireann on a pilot basis, will join the scheme throughout 2011.

The project remains on target to deliver real and tangible benefits to public transport users on a progressive basis during 2010. However, in a project involving numerous organisations, and where there are many business and technical complexities, there are and will continue to be difficulties that will pose challenges to all participants in delivering on the agreed programme. This has also been the experience internationally. The experience to date is that the Project Board is working well and in a manner that allows them to meet these challenges as they arise.

Since 1st December 2009, Real Time Passenger Information is a matter which comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Dublin Bus recently briefed me on the deterioration in the financial position of the company due to declining demand and revenue and increased costs in the current difficult economic climate. The company also outlined its intention to take a number of actions to restore its financial viability. Principal amongst these actions is the implementation of the network changes recommended by Deloitte in their cost and efficiency review of Dublin Bus. These network changes will ensure the efficient provision of quality bus services.