Written answers

Thursday, 12 March 2015

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Bus Éireann Services

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

298. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the campaign to return bus services to the Castledermot, County Kildare, and the R448 route following recent moves by private providers to stay on the M9 instead of passing through the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10952/15]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

300. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the passenger numbers on Bus Éireann routes 4 and 7; where it is stated by Bus Éireann that a route is unprofitable to travel through regional towns; the measures his Department has taken to investigate before considering a public service obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10956/15]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

301. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support efforts to adequately cover bus services for Athy town, County Kildare, following the recent announcement by Bus Éireann to curtail services in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10957/15]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 300 and 301 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 115 which I answered on the 10th March 2015 (copy below).

The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services, including the provision of PSO subvented services. I ensured that PSO funding was maintained at current levels in the last Budget, the first time this has happened since 2008. I was also able to secure an additional €101 million in funding for our public transport companies in a Supplementary Estimate.

Expressway services are commercial services operated in competition with private operators on main trunk routes and are licensed by the NTA. These commercial services do not receive any PSO funding from the Exchequer.

I am acutely aware of the concerns of many people regarding recent decisions to withdraw services to a number of intermediate locations on major routes into Dublin. Major improvements to the national roads network have provided the opportunity for commercial bus operators to offer improved journey times between Dublin and the regional cities in particular, with the consequent effect of reducing the level of service provided to a number of intermediate locations.

I should make it clear that there are two routes - not hundreds, as reported in the media - that are currently at issue. These are routes 5 and 7.

At a recent community meeting in Castlecomer, Bus Éireann agreed to postpone the changes to its licensed Route 7 services until June. A working group comprising local representatives and members of the local community and with the active participation of NTA and Bus Éireann will explore options for the continuation of public transport services in the area. The NTA is examining what might be an appropriate PSO service to put in place subject to funding.

Separately, the NTA, in conjunction with Bus Éireann, is examining options to re-configure existing PSO services in the south-east in order to maintain socially necessary services to the affected areas following the withdrawal of Route 5.

I assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with the NTA on wider issues around transport in rural Ireland over the coming weeks.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.