Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
148. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the withdrawal of the 863 direct bus service between Blessington and Dublin city centre by a private operator in April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20920/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the decision taken by Premier Coaches to withdraw its service from Blessington to Dublin city, is a commercial decision for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that Premier Coaches, like all other commercial businesses, are responsible for managing its own resources in respect of its commercial services.
The NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Premier Coaches decision to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The NTA will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
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 reply within ten working days
