Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
189. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if he will recognise the importance of shared mobility hubs in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to consider new public transport projects in the review of the National Development Plan. [2722/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting the expansion of shared mobility options through the advancement of commitments in the Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP), and both the 2023 and 2024 Climate Action Plans (CAPs).
Currently, the Department is supporting the development of a pilot Mobility Hubs initiative, to be funded – subject to approval - through the Climate Action Fund. This project will deliver an initial network of mobility hubs in several locations and will be led by the National Transport Authority (NTA). It is intended that the pilot will test a variety of measures that will ultimately inform the development of an operating model for mobility hubs.
To this end, the project proposes developing a network of between 150-250 mobility hubs (in total) across three types of areas: a major urban area, a large urban area and a regional urban area. The pilot project aims to create a comprehensive network of hubs of sufficient density to ensure integration and alignment with existing public transport and to deliver the modal transition and behavioural change that is required to meet climate targets, including a reduction in total vehicle kilometres of 20%. It is planned that the Mobility Hubs Pilot Project will go to tender in the first half of 2025, with the first hubs to be rolled out before the end of 2025, subject to the approval of support – circa €40 million - from the Climate Action Fund.
In addition to this project, which is already underway, the Government has committed to review and enhance the National Development Plan (NDP) funding envelope to deliver on existing, strategically important transport infrastructure commitments, and meet the funding needs of new or accelerated potential projects and programmes. Any decisions on specific projects to be taken forward will depend on the outcome of this review process, which will commence shortly.
