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

1313. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of quality bus corridors in Dublin that constitute 100% of the route from terminus to terminus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16281/18]

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

1314. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the first quality bus corridor will be introduced under BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16282/18]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1313 and 1314 together.

As the Deputy is aware, 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 our bus system, so that journeys for bus passengers will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable.

The recently launched National Development Plan also identifies the BusConnects programme as a key public transport investment priority for completion in the GDA over the period of the plan.

Work is ongoing on the redesign of the bus services network in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme.  When this work is complete, the National Transport Authority (NTA) will launch public consultations in the coming months. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign and Core Bus Corridors routes. 

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply on BusConnects and to his query on the  number and length of Quality Bus Corridors currently in use. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.