Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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547. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the €200 million cost of the Galway transport strategy over ten years addresses the urgent need to rebalance investment towards mass transport solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16594/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the transport strategy for Galway City was prepared by Galway City Council and Galway County Council in 2016 in partnership with the National Transport Authority.  The strategy set out an overall framework for the development of transport infrastructure and services in Galway City and its environs over a twenty year period.  Implementation of the Strategy is primarily a matter for the local authorities in line with their statutory roles and responsibilities.

The National Development Plan 2018-2027 proposes to deliver a BusConnects programme for Galway and provides an indicative allocation of €200 million to support this development.  The Galway Transport Strategy considered that bus-based public transport represents the most appropriate system for Galway over the period of the transport strategy.  It concluded that a high-quality bus-based public transport service will cater for the forecasted passenger demand and will provide significant flexibility in terms of network options and the ability to integrate with other modes.

Galway BusConnects will deliver a rationalised network of five high-performing cross city routes.  All routes will serve major city centre attractions as well as linking all major destinations across the city.  The programme will comprise next generation bus lanes, enhanced services, cashless fares and account-based ticketing.  As the Deputy is aware, a network of park and ride sites, serviced by the more efficient bus network, will also be put in place.