100. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the poor performance of many bus services provided by a company (details supplied) recently; the way he and the NTA will ensure a better, more reliable service for travellers in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9417/25]

Sentiment score: 0.12

In recent weeks the performance of one company, Go-Ahead, which operates bus routes across Dublin, has been widely criticised. At the same time Go-Ahead is being rewarded. It has successfully tendered to operate new bus routes. Does the Minister understand the frustration commuters feel at not getting the service that should be delivered, and at new services being awarded to that same company? Will the Minister tell us what tangible actions he and the NTA are taking to improve the commuter experience?

Sentiment score: 0.20

The reputation of this company has taken a real pounding because it is not meeting the services it committed to. The commuter experience is a key part in determining demand for public transport. People are telling their friends and family that they cannot rely on route X or route Y. It is negative in terms of encouraging people to make that shift to public transport. I have always felt the NTA needs to put a greater focus on the issue of the commuter experience. That is why in our recent manifesto we proposed the idea of an office of punctuality and reliability in the NTA that would have the ability to look route by route to get into the micro issues of the blockages on individual routes. Will the Minister consider resourcing an office of punctuality and reliability in the NTA so we can get a better focus on good quality journeys? The issues we are talking about now are not just once off and are not recent. They are long term, and they need a long-term response.

Sentiment score: 0.21

Sticking on that idea of the commuter experience, one proposal I welcome in the new programme for Government is the proposal for a transport security force. Many of us who have had a negative experience on public transport, particularly because of the location as you can be isolated in a train or Luas carriage, know it can be hard to get out of those situations. That is why we need a transport police. That is something the Green Party suggested in its manifesto. Will the Minister tell us about his ambition for this particular force? When does he expect to first see officers in trains or on buses? What scale of force is he thinking about, and is it just for buses or does he see it on all types of services around the country?

Sentiment score: 0.04