Dáil Éireann - Volume 540 - 04 July, 2001

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

624

102. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will indicate her intentions in [624] relation to the privatisation of Dublin Bus. [20274/01]

Mrs. O'Rourke Mrs. O'Rourke

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke): The consultation paper entitled, A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport, was published by the Government in September 2000. It sets out a number of proposals on the restructuring of the CIE companies. These proposals are currently the subject of consultation with the Public Transport Partnership Forum which was established under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

Before responding to the Government's consultation paper, the forum has commissioned an independent consultant to carry out a comparative evaluation of the provision, regulation and integration of public transport in nine selected cities throughout the world. I understand this consultancy is nearing completion. I will await the forum's response before finalising my proposals for Government in this area.

In the meantime, my Department is continuing to carry out background work on institutional reform issues. Following consultation with the forum, my Department is currently considering tenders from consultants to carry out a research study into the financial and other implications of the restructuring of the CIE group of companies.

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

103. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when she plans to issue a licence to Bus Éireann to operate additional routes within Dublin. [20275/01]

Mrs. O'Rourke Mrs. O'Rourke

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke): I published the consultation paper, “A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport”, in September 2000. This paper set out the Government's proposals for institutional and regulatory reform of the public transport system, including the removal of the geographic restriction on Bus Éireann's area of operations.

Bus Éireann is currently excluded from providing services where Bus Átha Cliath do so by the Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompar Éireann) Act, 1986. Amending legislation will be necessary to allow Bus Éireann to provide services in the Dublin area.

Any legislation needed to introduce the proposals in the framework document will be prepared by my Department when I have considered all responses to the consultation, including that of Public Transport Partnership Forum which I expect to receive in early autumn.

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

104. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when she plans to introduce competition from private bus operators on new or existing routes in Dublin. [20276/01]

625

[625]

Mrs. O'Rourke Mrs. O'Rourke

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke): The consultation paper, A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport was published in September 2000. This paper set out the Government's proposals for institutional and regulatory reform of the public transport system, including the introduction of competition. These proposals are currently subject to public consultation.

With regard to the greater Dublin area bus market, the paper proposes the introduction of competition through a franchising system for routes or groups of routes. Under this system private operators would compete for the right to provide services on routes, usually on an exclusive basis.

In the meantime my Department is working within the existing regulatory regime to increase private participation in the expansion of bus services in the greater Dublin area.

New guidelines for the consideration of licence applications were issued in December 2000 and a licensing round was launched. Following consideration of the applications 21 offers of licences were made in May 2001. Of these 21 offers, nine have been accepted; three have been refused; and a review has been requested on the remaining nine offers. WP leading adjustment

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

105. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has made a comparison in the level of bus fares and public subsidies in cities of size and population density similar to Dublin, which have heavy reliance on buses for public transport. [20278/01]WP leading adjustment

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

626

106. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the amount of State subvention to Dublin Bus, the Dart, the Arrow and to other Dublin suburban rail services in each year from 1996 to 2001, showing in respect of each year the [626] passenger numbers carried and the number and passenger capacity of the vehicles in service; and the vehicle miles travelled in each of the respective years. [20282/01]

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

107. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give details of the morning peak hour passenger numbers carried by Dublin Bus in each year from 1996 to 2001, indicating the hours over which the passenger numbers are counted. [20283/01]

Mrs. O'Rourke Mrs. O'Rourke

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke): I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together.

A comparative study of the levels of Government subvention in urban public transport in European cities was carried out last year on behalf of my Department by the Department of Economics, UCD. There has been no comparison done in the level of fares.

The allocation of the Exchequer subvention to the individual subsidiary companies is a matter for the CIE board. However, the following table sets out the allocation to Bus Átha Cliath and to Iarnród Éireann for the years in question.

The Estimates provision for State subvention to the CIE group of companies in 2001 is £159.06 million. Details of how this is being apportioned between the companies are not yet available.

The statistics requested in relation to passenger numbers, vehicles and miles travelled are set out in the following table.

Bus Átha Cliath

*The morning peak hour rush is from 7 a.m. to 9.14 a.m.

Iarnród Éireann Passenger Journeys 1996-2000

*Services were disrupted due to industrial disputes.

627

[627] Vehicle Numbers 1996-2000.

*10 Additional DART carriages went into service in December 2000 and 16 so far in 2001

Train Miles 1996-2000.

*Figures unavailable as these vehicles are shared with routes outside the outer suburban network.

Passenger Capacity 1996-2000.

Questions Nos. 108 and 109 taken with Question No. 99.

Dáil Éireann 540 Written Answers. Public Transport.

Questions

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