Written answer
Bus Services
The Minister referred concerns about new Fingal East developments and BusConnects coverage to the NTA, while outlining proposed spine, local and peak routes.
14. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department plans to address the number of areas in Dublin Fingal East that have seen significant building since the plans for BusConnects were agreed and as such with the roll out of BusConnects will not be properly served. [67232/26]
Comment on this
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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that BusConnects is a transformative investment programme in the bus system, providing better bus services across Dublin, Cork, Limerick Galway and Waterford. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State. In Dublin, all 12 Core Bus Corridor Schemes have received planning permission, with six currently subject to legal challenges including the Swords to City Centre Core Bus Corridor Scheme.
Under the Dublin Network Redesign Project a number of spinal, and local orbital routes are proposed for the Dublin Fingal East area. The proposed H-spine will include the H2 route connecting Portmarnock with the City Centre via Bayside. There are also two local routes that will serve this area: L83 connecting Portrane to the Airport via Donabate and Swords; and L85 connecting Balbriggan to the Airport via Swords. In addition, there are a number of peak-only bus routes for commuters in the area: X77 connecting Portmarnock and UCD via the City Centre; X78 connecting Malahide and UCD via Portmarnock and the City Centre; X79 connecting Glen Ellan Rd and UCD via River Valley; X83 connecting Portrane and UCD via Donabate; and X84 connecting Knocksedan and UCD via Swords Manor.