Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will nationalise bus stops and bus stop signage in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40882/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, and in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008 the Authority may designate any bus stop, bus stand, or bus station in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), to be a shared facility. At present bus stops in the GDA are owned by bus operators. Accordingly, only buses owned by the relevant bus operator may stop at a bus stop. I understand from the NTA that this arrangement has resulted in the unnecessary proliferation of bus stops. In addition there is no consistency in the design of, and the information displayed, at bus stops. The DTA Act 2008 empowers the NTA to require bus operators in the GDA to share their bus stops with other bus operators, subject to certain requirements including the payment of compensation. The Taxi Regulation Bill, which is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, provides to extend this function to the rest of the State.