Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of public money from the Exchequer that is granted to Dublin Bus; his plans to privatise Dublin Bus; if he has any influence over the services that are provided and if he will consider establishing a Dublin Bus consumer commission who would be consulted before any decision is made to change a bus route, to reduce a service on a bus route or to limit a service during certain times on a given bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26430/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Dublin Bus will receive €72.4 million in Exchequer funding in 2011 for the provision of public service obligation services. The services provided form part of the public service contract between Dublin Bus and the National Transport Authority and there is no Ministerial involvement in this. There are no plans to privatise the Company.

Dublin Bus has consulted with residents, local representatives and other stakeholders in relation to their Network Direct programme before making decisions on alterations to routes. All proposed changes to services require the approval of the National Transport Authority who have a mandate to oversee the provision of a well functioning, attractive, integrated and safe public transport system for all users. I do not therefore intend to establish a Dublin Bus consumer commission.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy incentives in place or which he intends to put in place to encourage greater take up of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26508/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The last decade has seen substantial levels of capital investment in transport infrastructure to improve our public transport network throughout the country. It will clearly not be possible to maintain this level of investment in the period ahead, given the difficult budgetary and economic challenges we now face. That is not to say however that progress cannot be made in encouraging people to make the switch from the private car to public transport. Despite the reduced sums available for capital and current expenditure, the Government will continue to prioritise the role of public transport. More targeted but less expenditure intensive measures can make a real difference.

The introduction of real time passenger information project (RTPI) and the development of a National Integrated Journey Planner will improve the experience of users of bus public transport. In addition to these measures, the Integrated Ticketing project will soon be delivered making it easier for commuters to switch easily between bus, rail and Luas on one ticket.

Work on quality bus corridors and green routes throughout the country will continue as a priority in the period ahead in order to allow the bus to compete strongly on journey times. An order was made last week extending the remit of the Railway Procurement Agency to the development of Bus Rapid Transit systems. We will also continue to invest in the improvement of rail stations and bus stops to make commuting a more pleasant experience. The above are value for money measures that support the use of the overall public transport system and enhance the accessibility, convenience and attractiveness of public transport.