Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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364. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current guidelines regarding capacity for public and private transport with regard to buses, trains and taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1394/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport 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.   Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and public transport was designated amongst the essential services that have continued to operate during the Covid crisis.  I would like to thank all operators and their staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times.  A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the safe operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.  

The Government's "Living with Covid Plan" and subsequent "Recovery and Resilience Plan" sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the Plan and provides guidance for the public about using public transport at the different risk levels:  including that wearing face coverings is mandatory, and encouraging the use of off-peak services and sustainable active travel alternative options, where feasible.  

The country moved from Level 3 to Level 5 of the Plan with a number of specific adjustments at Midnight on 24 December meaning public transport went from using 50% to 25% of vehicle capacity with effect from 26 December.  Further announcements were made by An Taoiseach on the 30 December and 6 January introducing  additional health restrictions including the closure of all non-essential businesses and schools with public transport continuing to operate at 25% of vehicle capacity.  The NTA has advised customers to continue to only use public transport for necessary journeys and to avoid peak-time travel.  The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most and in particular frontline workers.

Both my Department and the NTA are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice. 

The Deputy also asks about the current guidelines regarding capacity for taxis.  Although, the recent guidelines state that capacity in the context of public transport is restricted to 25%,  the NTA has informed me that this is understood to relate to mass public transport which small public service vehicles do not provide. The guidance previously outlined in respect of SPSV usage during Level 5 restrictions therefore stands i.e. that it is permissible, during the COVID-19 emergency period and in line with Public Health guidance on social distancing, for SPSV drivers to restrict the seating of passengers to the rear seats as physical distancing is important to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Where the Public Health advice on social distancing cannot be maintained, drivers and passengers should maintain as much distance as possible. Drivers and passengers are also required to comply with the regulations concerning face coverings and journeys should be kept to 15 minutes or less wherever possible.  Good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) is also recommended to reduce the risk of transmission.