Bus Éireann plans to double passenger numbers over the next 10 years in a bid to tackle increasing congestion in regional cities.
Chief executive officer Martin Nolan, who published the company's "10 Routes to a Better Public Transport Future" strategy in Galway on Monday, said the company supported the international initiative to double public transport usage worldwide by 2025.
The company is proposing that the strategy be developed for regions outside of Dublin. This could facilitate growth in passenger numbers by 4-5 per cent per annum, but only with appropriate capital investment, infrastructure planning, service development and integration of public transport services.
Public transport forum
Mr Nolan was speaking at a public transport forum promoted by Bus Éireann aimed at generating discussion about the future of public transport in regional cities and counties.
The strategy stresses that public transport is critical to the recovery of national and local economies; highlights the importance of integrated networks; urges the development of a regional transport plan; underlines the need for bus prioritisation measures; calls for "steady" State funding in the bus public transport system; seeks a partnership approach to public transport, and concludes that Ireland can have "world class transport".
Passenger journeys across the CIÉ companies increased by 9.6 million to 237.5 million in 2014 - an increase of 4 per cent, with Bus Éireann carrying an additional 1.5 million passengers.
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe told the forum that, after a number of years of coping with the various impacts of the economic downturn, Ireland was now moving to a phase where the transport system must support a growing economy.
The level of funding for transport had been dramatically reduced in the intervening period - from a peak of €3 billion, or 1.6 per cent of GDP in 2008, to “a historic low level” of €850 million, or 0.5 per cent of GDP, in 2014.
“It is clear that issues are emerging as a consequence of the welcome growth of the economy, including congestion, meeting public transport demand and dealing with increased freight,” Mr Donohoe said. “It is also clear that there is historical underinvestment in transport, with continued constraint on investment for the future.
‘Difficult choices’
“More than ever, we need evidence-based decision-making, creativity and innovation. Difficult choices will have to be considered by all stakeholders in the transport sector,” he warned.
Mr Donohoe declined to answer questions on the possibility of peak-time restrictions for holders of free travel passes being introduced.
State transport providers have privately sought the introduction of rush-hour travel restrictions for holders of free travel passes as part of a review of the scheme.
A Government working group is reviewing the future of the free scheme, which allows up to 1.2 million people – or 25 per cent of the population – to travel for free on public and some private transport.
The Minister said he would not be taking questions on any issue other than the content of his address to the forum.