Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the penalty there is for third party providers who cancel or partially cancel a service on route 33; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32890/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, in this case Dublin Bus.

The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the methodology employed to ascertain the appropriateness of the BusConnects proposal in relation to the removal of the bus route 33; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32891/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus services.

As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the NTA.

In Dublin, the major infrastructure element of BusConnects comprises Core Bus Corridor Schemes. New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered as part of BusConnects, with the first six phases of the BusConnects Network Redesign rolling out since 2021.

Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average journey time travelling from Balbriggan/Skerries/Rush/Lusk if the current BusConnects proposal is implemented, factoring in wait times for connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32892/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the NTA, as they have responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.

New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first five phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. Most recently, the E-Spine connecting Ballymun to Bray and L routes in Wicklow rolled out in January this year.

Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.