Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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503. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on reports that the National Transport Authority plans to construct 16 new bus radial routes; the impact this will have on residents that live near these proposed new routes in view of the news that 1,300 homeowners may lose their gardens; when homeowners will be notified if they are to be subject to a compulsory purchase order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26661/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The BusConnects Programme aims to transform the bus system in Dublin. It will include a full redesign of the bus network in order to provide a better and more efficient network for passengers; an expanded and modern fleet of vehicles; new road infrastructure to facilitate bus priority and faster journeys for public transport users, and also upgraded facilities for cyclists and pedestrians; improved passenger information and ticketing technology; and transition to a lower emission bus fleet.

Currently, on the busiest bus routes, bus lanes are only in place for less than one third of the corridor. This means that for most of the journey, buses are competing for space with general traffic and so are also affected by the increasing levels of congestion.

Approximately 70% of people travelling into Dublin city each morning do so by sustainable transport. The bus system is important because each day the majority (57% of all public transport trips) use the bus for this journey.

Bus is therefore the main component of the solution to address our current congestion problem and to meet our future transport needs. As those numbers grow, and as congestion worsens, it is becoming increasingly difficult to operate a reliable bus system with sufficient capacity to cater for the needs of the region.

Last week, the NTA published a discussion document outlining the Core Bus Corridor Project that is part of a wider BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities, starting in Dublin and rolling out to Galway, Cork and Ireland’s remaining cities.

The NTA’s document focusses on the 230 km of continuous bus priority across 16 core bus routes expected achieve up to 40%-50% savings on current journey times and the 200 km plus of cycle tracks/lanes and pedestrian facilities that are emerging as the likely core bus corridors in and out of Dublin city under this new investment Programme. These proposals are going to revolutionise traffic in the centre and outskirts of Dublin. It takes into consideration the current congestion situation and the challenges and opportunities that Dublin will face over the coming decades while setting out some of the key impacts, issues and challenges that relate to the 16 corridors.

In order to achieve this, in some areas on these corridors, roads will need to be widened, traffic lanes will have to be converted to bus lanes, on-street parking will have to be restricted and trees and parts of front gardens will have to be removed. These are the difficult decisions that have to be made if we are to provide a fit-for-purpose bus system for Dublin city. Dublin will become increasingly congested and a less attractive place to live and work if we decide not to make these changes now.

The document also sets out mitigations to these challenges including compensation as appropriate.

Following, last week’s launch by the NTA of a discussion document focussed on 16 core bus routes, the NTA will conduct a public consultation on the redesign of Dublin's bus network, including proposals on a major redesign of routes, schedules and fare structures. This is expected in July.

Later this year, the NTA then plans to hold a public consultation on the emerging proposals for the 16 core bus corridors, expected in September/October.

This is to ensure that the public are fully informed by NTA about the BusConnects programme as it progresses and have ample opportunity to input at various stages to its development. It should be stressed that all of the routes and options are indicative only at this stage. Individual properties will not be identified until detailed designs have been completed and that will feed into the consultation process expected in September/October.

There is a clear need to expand attractive public transport alternatives to car transport to reduce congestion and emissions and enable the transport sector to cater for the demands associated with longer-term population and employment growth in a sustainable manner.

This is why the major flagship investments to be delivered within Project Ireland 2040 and the 10-year National Development Plan horizon such as Bus Connects for Ireland’s cities and projects like the Metro Link, DART Expansion, expanded Luas services and cycling and walking infrastructure are needed to ease congestion, lower carbon output and add greatly to the quality and standard of our transport system.

Noting its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred your queries to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.