Bus Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-15
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Niamh Smyth (FF), Cavan-Monaghan

I am glad the Deputy presented different figures from those provided in the information from the NTA. I have taken note of that because the Deputy has presented different figures for the flat fee and the 26% increase. However, I have to be factual and say to him that there are State agencies in this country that have absolute responsibility. The NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares. It is important to outline that in order to counteract some of what the Deputy is saying. That said, I have taken note of what he said.
It is important to note that the NTA continues to engage with Bus Éireann to finalise the depot layout required to accommodate 52 charge points at Capwell. I take the Deputy’s point on the introduction of new buses in certain cities, but not in Cork, as well as his point about the conditions. The Deputy raised that very clearly here today and I have taken note of it. The infrastructure at the depot is due to be completed by quarter 4 of 2027 to support the electric bus roll-out for future network redesign launch dates.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. I understand the Minister for Transport and his officials continue to engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to maintaining high operational standards on all forms of public transport. That should also mean high standards and the good condition of buses that passengers have to use.
The individual operators are responsible for the management and operation of services on a day-to-day basis. In this case, Bus Éireann operates both PSO services funded by the State subvention and Expressway inter-city services, which operate on a commercial basis and do not receive any State subvention.
I can assure the Deputy the Department of Transport is committed to providing investment in our public transport network, which is clear to be seen across the country. The Minister is supportive of the Government’s goals in relation to delivering an accessible, affordable and, most importantly, reliable public transport network throughout the country, including in Cork city. As I said earlier, I have taken notes of the issues that the Deputy has raised.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-15