Dempsey unveils transport body in Bill

A body that will over see transport projects across the Greater Dublin area was unveiled by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey today.

The Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 will see the creation of a Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) that will have responsibility for co-ordinating transport in the Greater Dublin Area. This region takes in the local authority areas of Dublin city, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.

Under the Bill, the authority will have powers to ensure major infrastructure projects, such as the Metro, are delivered efficiently, cost effectively, and with minimal disruption. The DTA will also have powers to ensure all modes of public transport are integrated.

"The public have a right to expect a world class, integrated public transport system and this new authority will have the powers to make that happen. . . . the DTA will ensure that these projects are delivered to the highest standards in the shortest time period possible," Mr Dempsey said.

“I have detected a broad level of support for the new authority. With that in mind I hope that there will be cross-party and wide public support for this Bill so that the new authority can start its work soon.”

It is envisaged the DTA will set out the framework for the delivery of infrastructure and services over a 12- to 20-year period, allocate funding for public transport and traffic management, and procure public transport services and regulate public transport fares, Mr Dempsey added.

The DTA will also be “closely engaged” in each stage of planning to ensure consistency between its transport strategy and the land-use planning process, he said.

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce said the Bill was long overdue but promised “a strong body” to co-ordinate transport agencies in the Greater Dublin Area.

“Time is not on our side,” said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive. “Two of the biggest single projects under Transport 21 - the Metro and the Interconnector - are about to commence, and the Greater Dublin Area needs a single lead agency that can crack the whip and ensure the swift delivery of these projects with minimal disruption to businesses and commuters.”

“Dublin suffers from suburban sprawl, where workers face long commuting times with poor public transport options. This legislation provides the DTA with the powers to call a halt to this type of development,” she said.

Labour transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said the Bill should signal the end of the long-running saga to establish a DTA.

He welcomed provisions in the bill for the DTA to give binding directions to public transport agencies and to acquire land, and for enforcement measures to ensure the delivery of DTA decisions.

But Mr Broughan said Mr Dempsey had not clearly addressed the bus licensing issue, and that the Bill indicates that Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will continue to provide existing public bus passenger services under the 1932 laws.

He said, however, that as the DTA is designated as a public transport operator "of last resort" it can provide transport passenger services if existing operators fail or are unwilling to meet the obligations and standards set out by the DTA.

Mr Broughan also expressed concerns over duplication and overlap of responsibilities and duties between the new body and the existing Railway Procurement Agency.

The Irish Planning Institute welcomed the DTA but said it would like to see the idea extended into other gateway cities and hub towns.