Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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41. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the expansion of the public transport network to cope with increasing volumes of passengers in all three companies, Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. [32790/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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There are a significant number of projects underway and planned to increase capacity on our public transport network.

In the near future projects such as the reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel, Luas Cross City and 10 minute DART will help manage the increasing demand on the light rail and heavy rail networks in the Greater Dublin Area. Works have recently been completed on the Phoenix Park Tunnel which will see several new services operate from Newbridge and Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock at peak times on weekdays. The Luas Cross City project will commence operation before the end of 2017 and will provide for an estimated 10 million additional journeys per annum on the Luas network.  Capacity of the Luas Green Line is also being increased in order to accommodate the continued passenger growth. Other projects that are being progressed that will improve capacity on the rail network in Dublin and nationally include the City Centre Re-signalling Programme and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for the commuter and intercity rail network.

Funding is also being provided under the Capital Plan for replacement and expansion of the PSO fleet in the Dublin region and in Bus Eireann, and for the development or upgrading of QBCs in both the GDA and in the regional cities. 

The largest single project that will proceed during the lifetime of the Capital Plan will be the new Metro link in Dublin (New Metro North) which will serve the growing population along the Swords/Airport/City Centre corridor.

It is proposed that a mid-term review of the Capital Plan will be carried out in 2017 and I am determined to make the case for public transport investment to be both increased and accelerated as a result of that review in order to address our growing transport needs.