Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1063. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to roll out the policy of BusConnects nationally in view of the fact that BusConnects is the preferred future policy of Dublin Bus for the next number of years; and his plans for the national bus service if this policy is not put in place. [46850/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, Budget 2018 provided for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. The increased funding will allow roll-out of a number of key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system across our cities.

As the Deputy is aware, this includes investment of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme to address growing congestion in the Dublin region in the short to medium term. The four-year capital envelope for public transport will also enable increased investment in sustainable transport projects in our main cities including investment in the region of €130 million for  traffic management, bus priority and other smarter travel projects.  This is to allow transport infrastructure to function more effectively and will help relieve traffic congestion.  Over €110 million will also be invested in new urban cycling and walking routes which will provide additional sustainable travel options to complement increased capacity and faster, higher quality public transport in our main cities. 

Undoubtedly the growth in travel demand is becoming an increasing problem in cities. The BusConnects programme, will roll out first in Dublin where congestion is most acute. There is of course potential to then adopt a similar approach in other cities and roll-out of the BusConnects template.