Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contacts he has had with trade unions representing Bus Éireann staff; his views on the proposal to sell the expressway service; his views that this would have a detrimental impact on the provision of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33255/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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While I have not met trade unions I have received representations submitted by them on behalf of their members.

 As discussed at my recent meeting with the Joint Oireachtas Committee I am aware that Bus Éireann is considering options designed to address the financial losses resulting from its commercial Expressway service; the formulation and progression of those plans are a matter for the company.  Bus Éireann has engaged consultants to independently review the options available to it as it seeks to address these losses.

I have been consistently clear since assuming office that issues relating to pay and conditions in any particular State owned company under my Department's aegis are a matter for discussion and agreement between the employer and the employees.  Bus Éireann has indicated its desire to discuss the Expressway issue with trade unions and I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees.

Expressway routes are commercial services which do not receive any Exchequer funding. Last year commercial bus services carried almost 23 million passengers with approximately 7 million of those passengers choosing an Expressway service.

The Deputy is probably aware that the commercial bus market has seen significant growth in recent years with passenger journeys in 2015 13% higher than in 2013. These services are regulated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. There have been instances in recent years whereby some commercial services have been reconfigured leaving certain  areas without the desired level of public transport provision.  In  response, the NTA has used its powers under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 to ensure continued public transport services through the provision of subvented Public Service Obligation (PSO) services.