Paul Murphy
Ceist:6. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has analysed the impact abolishing fares would have on speeding up bus journey times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28462/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Services
Ceisteanna (6)
Freagraí scríofa
In order to encourage more people to use public transport, Government is investing in significant service and infrastructure improvements, as well as continuing to support the various fare initiatives.
All of these improvements do however require significant levels of funding and we need to make sure we utilise these funds in the best way possible.
The estimated total cost of providing the existing level of PSO services this year is around €1.14 billion. Research undertaken for the NTA in 2022 showed that a free public transport system, without accounting for any increased passenger demand, would require an additional €540 million in funding at a minimum. This would cost closer to €700m in 2024 prices.
That same research found that any increase in public transport demand due to free fares would largely be achieved by reductions in active travel, resulting in just a 1% reduction in car travel. It also found that motorists are more likely to switch to public transport if fuel prices increase, or parking and road usage is restricted, rather than due to free fares.
Budget 2024 is therefore focussed on continuing the fare initiatives, and improving service provision, to deliver maximum benefit for all passengers.
My department is also in the process of developing a new national demand management strategy for transport. When implemented, I expect the strategy to play a key role in unlocking the full potential of Government investment in sustainable mobility options - by prioritising these modes across the transport system. Essentially, it will support reductions in congestion to the benefit of the public transport system, helping to facilitate greater bus service efficiency and improved journey times.
I think these types of evidence informed improvements and initiatives speak to our commitment to get more people using public transport and improving journey times.
Questions Nos. 7 and 8 answered orally.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (9)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the reason public transport fares have been increased during a climate and cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28461/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April 2023, the National Transport Authority published a new National Fares Strategy, aimed at delivering more consistent and equitable fares.
Subsequently, in January 2024, the NTA published its fare determination which introduced specific changes to fares, including the formalisation of new ‘Dublin City’ and ‘Dublin Commuter’ Zone boundaries, simplified Leap capping, as well as changes to some Intercity Rail and town bus fares. The first phase of the fare determination was implemented on the 23rd of June.
While the proposed fare changes will see increases for some passengers and decreases for others, it is estimated that the strategy will be broadly revenue neutral overall.
The latest phase saw slight increases in short journey fares for Luas, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail services, with a 20-cent increase for Leap Card users from €1.30 to €1.50, and cash fares changing from €1.70 to €2.
Phase 2, to be introduced later this year, will involve the implementation of the new Dublin City and Dublin Commuter Zones, a significant reduction in Leap Card multimodal caps, and the introduction of Leap travel credit at all Dublin Commuter Zone rail stations.
Phase 2 will also include the introduction of a new all-modes ticket by the end of September, which will offer full access to Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas and Irish Rail services in the Dublin City Zone. The ticket is to cost €960 annually or €96 monthly, representing a saving of 38% compared to existing prices. Similarly, a weekly Leap cap covering services provided by all operators in the City Zone will be €24, compared to the current equivalent of €32.
I believe that the combination of continued investment in new services, continued implementation of the fares strategy, and our extensive capital investment programme, will all help to ensure that we meet our ambitious climate targets.
Questions Nos. 10 to 13, inclusive, answered orally.
Bus Éireann
Ceisteanna (14)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:14. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of ongoing issues with the TFI real time app for Bus Éireann services in Cork city; and his plans to resolve this. [28577/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I want to begin by acknowledging the frustration passengers have been experiencing on the public transport network in Cork City, and to reassure the Deputy my Department has been engaging with Bus Éireann directly on the issue.
Ongoing congestion issues in Cork are a big source of the problem, with arrival times and cancellations frequently impacted by traffic, roadworks and a lack of bus priority.
Regarding the ongoing issues with the TFI real time app, I understand that the data for the app is provided directly by Bus Éireann via their on-bus Automatic Vehicle Location systems. These record the position of the bus on route and generate predicted arrival times for each bus stop.
When Controllers become aware of a service delay or cancellation, they amend the trip on the system, which in turn updates the Realtime information on the TFI app.
The NTA are taking steps to improve the quality of data by:
• Sourcing a new single system for all bus operators in Ireland, to ensure a single source of data, in a single feed, and consistent format, including improved arrival time prediction algorithms.
• Working with bus operators to ensure that they are cancelling services on the central Realtime system.
• Working with the bus operators to assist in the recruitment of additional drivers.
Unfortunately, due to essential maintenance planned for Cork city, Bus Éireann forecast a challenging summer ahead. This includes the loss of access to prime city centre routings due to closures at St Patrick Street and Grand Parade. Nine routes will require significant diversions, while others will suffer as general traffic is diverted.
Looking ahead, once operational, the Next Generation AVL system will improve the accuracy of the data provided to the TFI App, as the new common system is rolled out on all PSO vehicles, improving reliability for passengers.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (15)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 16 May 2024, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28385/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that the National Transport Authority, or NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. The new Strategy will provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the delivery of transport and the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the Galway Metropolitan Area. It will replace the existing Galway Transport Strategy which was published in 2016.
As part of the development of the new Strategy, transport mode-specific analysis is being undertaken, including a light rail feasibility study, and this study is substantially complete. After the draft Strategy has been finalised, the NTA will undertake a non-statutory public consultation process which will give stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the draft strategy. Background technical reports, including the light rail feasibility study, will be published as supporting documents with the draft Strategy.
I welcome the development of this multi-modal Transport Strategy which will guide transport investment and the delivery of transport infrastructure in the Galway Metropolitan Area over the next 20 years. It will provide the necessary evidence-based and plan-led framework that can guide investment in the city over the short, medium and longer term. This type of approach provides the type of long-term planning that is needed to ensure good transport infrastructure delivery and related integration with land-use planning.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (16)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:16. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the date a decision was made to carry out the All Island Strategic Rail Review; when it is intended to publish it; the steps that will be then taken to implement the review; the construction inflation in this State between the date of the original decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was launched by my Department in 2021 in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, in line with the National Development Plan commitment. The Review will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net carbon zero targets in both jurisdictions.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft Report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment public consultation last year. Feedback from that public consultation period has now been considered and a final Review Report should be submitted to Government for approval before the summer recess.
The draft Report made 30 recommendations for the rail system across the island out to 2050. Implementation of these recommendations would result in substantial improvements in the capacity, speed, frequency and reach of the rail system. Journey times by rail would be much reduced, and frequency would increase to at least hourly between cities and every two hours on rural and regional routes. The network would be decarbonised, with the intercity routes electrified. There would be new lines to the North-Midlands and North-West, widening accessibility and connectivity through rail.
The Deputy is right to highlight the importance of implementation. I’m glad to say that my Department is already working with the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann, and our Northern colleagues, to develop a prioritised implementation strategy.
I would note that the majority of the big interventions proposed by the Review are scheduled for post-2030, and recent inflation would apply to these projects in any event. I would also note that the development of the Review was informed by the JASPERS Review of the previous Western Rail Corridor proposal, which noted that unless we develop a wider strategic perspective on the future of the rail network, the merit of individual proposals would be difficult to judge.
Road Projects
Ceisteanna (17)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:17. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the preparation of tender documents for the N53 project in County Louth; the timeline for the upgrade works to be completed; if funding is being made available by TII for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I thank the Deputy for his question. I know that this project is of interest to him and the matter of good transport connectivity in the border area is an important one.
Approximately €411m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2024. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TII on the 22nd of February 2024. As part of these allocations, the N53 upgrade received €500,000 for 2024. Other projects in the region which have been allocated funding in 2024 include the N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme in County Monaghan and the Ardee Bypass in Louth.
The N53 is an important road for the border region, connecting the N2 at Castleblayney with Dundalk. It exists in two sections, as a central section crosses into South Armagh where it is classified as the A37. The road has been the subject of phased improvements under TII’s minor improvements programme over the last number of years. Two improvement schemes have been completed to date, namely Newtownbalregan to Barronstown and the N53 Barronstown to Hackballscross. TII are currently funding the Hackballscross to Rassan scheme. The project is currently at the enabling and procurement phase, and will involve the realignment of approximately 3.4km of the N53 between Hackballscross and Rassan.
Site clearance has been completed and archaeological resolution works commenced in May. The preparation of tender documents for the main construction contract is ongoing; progression to tender stage will be subject to TII approval which will have regard to the overall funding available at that time.
I hope that this information is of assistance to you.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (18)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:18. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Dublin-Navan rail line upgrade; if he will report on the work completed to date; when he expects the upgrade will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28615/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which I approved early last year, sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The Transport Strategy provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for Counties Meath, Dublin, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow.
The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy now includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036.
I am pleased that the NTA has allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (or IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project this year. The work will involve the route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.
IÉ has commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May. It is envisaged that the contract will be awarded in the coming months.
It is anticipated that a route options public consultation for the project will take place by early 2026. I look forward to the Deputy’s support during the public consultation phase. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and develop a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government before it enters the planning system.
I look forward to the Navan rail line project progressing through the design and planning stages and towards construction in the years ahead.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (19)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:19. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on MetroLink and the appointment of project director for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28198/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new rail line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. MetroLink will serve multiple residential communities such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as the City Centre, Dublin Airport, major employment zones, education, transport, and other facilities. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared this June when the appointment of the MetroLink Project Director was announced. Given the scope and scale of MetroLink, it was recognised that there was a need to recruit an expert with the relevant experience and specialist knowledge to lead the project's delivery. This was underlined by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's Major Projects Advisory Group's review of MetroLink’s Preliminary Business Case when it noted that, "it will be critical to secure a Project Director with international experience of managing and leading other large metro or tunnelling projects".
Following an extensive international recruitment process conducted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), a preferred candidate was identified for the role of Project Director. Terms and conditions relating to remuneration were subject to the explicit sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The Director, Sean Sweeney, has three decades in leadership roles on major infrastructure projects in Australia, New Zealand and the US, including leading a transformative underground metro rail link in Auckland’s city centre, New Zealand’s largest-ever transport infrastructure project.
I look forward to Mr Sweeney taking up his position with TII in September.
Road Safety
Ceisteanna (20)
Robert Troy
Ceist:20. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider making funding available to local authorities to carry out safety works on roads within their remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28286/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.