Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

102. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planned review of the evening and weekend local link rural bus pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6700/19]

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

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme, which now operates under the Local Link brand.

As the Deputy will be aware, following engagement with key stakeholders in late 2017, I tasked the NTA to examine the potential to extend existing Local Link services into the evening and proposals I had received in this regard from the Deputy. Subsequently, the NTA approved funding for 65 new pilot evening and late night Local Link services, operating across all 26 counties, to run on a pilot basis for 6 months to end December last. Following a review of the services by the NTA, the pilot was extended until end quarter 1 2019, when the NTA will conduct a further review of the performance of the services and a decision taken as to future funding of these services.

I would like to acknowledge the help I received from the Deputy in getting this important initiative for rural Ireland off the ground and I look forward to working with him further when this pilot reaches a conclusion.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for further response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.