Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount BusConnects, both the network and the corridor projects, has cost the State to date including contractors and so on; if the BusConnects project can continue before a full review of the greater Dublin area transport strategy has been completed in view of changed travel and commuting practices following Covid-19; and if the deadline can be extended for the public consultation period given that lockdown restrictions have been in place for most of the consultation period. [1062/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I believe that Dubliners deserve an expanded and improved public transport network and that our publicly subvented bus system is, and will continue to be, at the heart of that network.

There is no doubt that the current restrictions have changed travel demand patterns but obviously those restrictions are imposed upon people in light of the ongoing public health emergency. It is clear to me that once this emergency passes we will still face a climate crisis which requires us to decarbonise our society and it is right to provide expanded and improved sustainable mobility options to support the just transition we need to make in the years ahead to achieve that decarbonisation.

The statutory arrangements underpinning strategic transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area require the National Transport Authority (NTA) to make a twenty year transport strategy and furthermore require it to review that strategy every six years. This type of long-term, evidence-based, strategic planning framework is in line with international best practice and one I very much welcome.  An expanded and improved bus system, such as that proposed under the BusConnects programme, forms an important part of the Transport Strategy;  I welcome the ongoing consultation by the NTA in relation to the review of the Strategy, and I see that process as complementing the work already underway in improving people's quality of life through the availability of better infrastructure and services for public tranpsort and active travel.     

In relation to the Deputy’s specific questions around expenditure to date and the public consultation process, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply in light of their statutory responsibilities for the programme.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.