John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

583. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the Dublin Bus fleet is adequate to meet passenger demand in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7351/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the past four years Dublin Bus has received funding of €132 million for the purchase of new buses. In 2017 alone 102 new buses were purchased by the National Transport Authority (NTA) for Dublin Bus. The NTA will be funding the purchase of a further 76 buses for the company this year.

Following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, Budget 2018 provides 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. This substantial multi-annual envelope includes funding of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme to fundamentally transform Dublin’s bus system, so that journeys for bus passengers will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable.

Given the NTA's role in relation to the provision of public transport services and renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.