Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has functional responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.

The NTA has advised my Department that while it does not propose to establish a separate office such as the Deputy has suggested, it is assessing the potential of a more centralised general contact facility for public transport passengers in the context of multiple operators.  According to the NTA, this would likely take the form of a small contact centre which would deal with some passenger queries centrally and would arrange a simple transfer to the relevant operator in the case of operator specific queries and issues.  Such a centralised centre would also be available to provide information and assistance to persons with disabilities, recognising however, that many of those queries are likely to be redirected to the relevant operator. 

Prior to proceeding with such a contact centre, the issue of cost and resources would require to be addressed by the NTA in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. 

I would also point out that while the NTA already plays a central co-ordinating role in relation to the provision of public transport services for people with disabilities, many of the required interactions with such users need to link with the operator providing the particular transport service.  For instance, a request for assistance for wheelchair boarding or alighting on the rail system ultimately has to be handled by Iarnród Éireann – routing such a request through the NTA might not be as effective as a direct contact between the passenger and Iarnród Éireann staff.  The same applies in the case of bus services, particular Bus Éireann regional/inter-urban services, where pre-booking of the wheelchair space is required.

As I outlined to the Oireachtas Committee last week, I intend to appoint a board member to the public transport companies under my remit, who has personal knowledge and experience of the needs and difficulties of people with disabilities using public transport. The first board appointment will be to the NTA in the coming months.