Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the BusConnects network redesign. [12983/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs to date of the BusConnects project; when proposed route changes to the network will be implemented in the Dún Laoghaire area of County Dublin; if the promised increase in services across the city of 23% will see an actual 23% increase in bus fleet numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15581/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 63 together.

BusConnects Dublin is a transformational programme of investment in both active travel and bus which will benefit generations of Dubliners and visitors alike.

As the Deputies are aware BusConnects Dublin comprises a number of different elements. The two most well-known are the Core Bus Corridors, which relates to the infrastructure, and the Network Redesign, which relates to the services. However, there is also a host of other elements to the programme such as a move to zero-emission fleet, a new ticketing system, a new bus livery and new bus stops and shelters.

Development of the programme has been subject to extensive non-statutory public consultation in recent years, while the planning and design of the necessary infrastructure has also been subject to extensive work and engagement with local communities. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has recently published details of expenditure on the programme since 2018 on its website.

Last year the National Transport Authority published its final proposed Dublin Area Bus Network which concludes the consultation process in relation to the Network Redesign and there was also a final round of consultations held on the Core Bus Corridors.

This preparatory work has informed the development of the Preliminary Business Case which, under the Public Spending Code, must be submitted to Government as Decision Gate 1: Approval In Principle. Government approval will allow the programme move toward implementation, whether that is roll-out of the new network or an application to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the necessary infrastructure.

Implementation generally will follow a phased approach both in terms of the roll-out of the new network of services and the construction of the new infrastructure. Once the preliminary Business Case is approved by Government, it is hoped to begin roll-out of the new network this year with the remaining phases to be completed over the 2022 to 2024 period. I am informed that the Dún Laoghaire area will see its roll-out commence in mid-2023 with the ‘E Spine’ and continue into 2024 with regard to the ‘B-Spine’ and related routes.

In relation to the fleet increases proposed, I am informed that the overall fleet size will increase by around 20% while services overall are estimated to increase by around 23%. This difference is due to the fact that some of these service increases can be facilitated by using existing fleet on off-peak or weekend expanded services.