Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend legislation to require changes to existing bus routes to be subject to a public consultation process by the National Transport Authority before such proposals are sanctioned in view of the implication of such changes for residents, bus users, other road users, street character and the long-term planning and development of areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7541/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In the case of commercial bus routes, commercial bus services are licensed in accordance with the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 and in line with the NTA's published Guidelines for the Licensing of Public Bus Passenger Services.  The Guidelines are published on the NTA website.  The Guidelines were prepared in accordance with the detailed provisions set out in section 23 of the 2009 Act.

Where operators apply to withdraw or curtail commercial bus services, the NTA will grant such amendments as it has no legislative powers to refuse them. It should also be noted that the 2009 Act provides that the NTA must undertake a review of the operation of the licensing of public bus passenger services within 5 years. I understand that the NTA intends to engage in a public consultation this year in relation to this issue and I will examine carefully any proposed changes to the licensing regime arising from that review that might require legislative amendment.

PSO subvented bus services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are governed by public service contracts with the NTA and any changes to services require approval of the NTA under the terms and conditions of the contracts, which can be viewed on the NTA's website.

I have requested the NTA to discuss with the deputy directly the suggestions on public consultation with a view to teasing out the practical implications for licensed commercial and PSO subvented bus services.