Public Transport Reform
Introduction
The Department has been considering how best to deliver public transport in Northern Ireland in the future. In reforming the existing system, we want to ensure that the growth in the use of public transport continues and that the services provided for customers continue to improve. We will also want to make sure that any new arrangements provide the best possible fit for the long-term delivery of public transport. To do this, we need to ensure we comply with the new EU Regulation (1370/2007) on public passenger transport services by rail and by road.
Options for Reform
The Department has been examining the options for reforming the organisational arrangements for public transport. After looking at a number of different options and discussing these with the Regional Development Committee and other interested groups, including the trade unions, it is proposed that, in the future, a public transport agency (which would be part of DRD) would be responsible for:
- specifying the service requirements;
- securing the delivery of those public transport services through performance-based contracts, awarded either directly to Translink, or in some cases, open to competition;
- public transport regulation and policy implementation;
- monitoring and evaluation of service delivery performance by operators; and
- providing public funding subsidies.
Three Tier Structure
All of the options we considered were modelled around a three tier structure, which includes:
- a top Government tier responsible for policy, legislation and regulation, including the regulation of operators;
- a middle tier responsible for specifying service requirements, securing their provision and managing contracts; and
- a third tier comprising transport operators to deliver public transport services.
Public Consultation Exercise
A public consultation exercise on Public Transport Reform ran from 9th November 2009 to 5th February 2010. All the consultation documents, including the Final Report on Public Consultation, can be found by clicking here.
Transport Bill
On 10th June 2010, the Northern Ireland Executive gave approval for a Draft Transport Bill to be introduced into the Assembly, which the DRD Minister, Conor Murphy, duly did on 21st June 2010. The Bill can be found by clicking here. The second stage debate on the principles of the Bill took place on 29th June 2010. To read the Official Report of the debate, click here. The Bill has now entered the Committee Stage.
Next Steps
Subject to the Transport Bill passing through the Assembly stages, it is anticipated that Royal Assent will be obtained by spring 2011.
The Department will continue to consult widely and to work with key stakeholders to ensure that the implementation arrangements will deliver the policy intentions.
Outline Business Case
The Outline Business Case (OBC) on Public Transport Reform considered the potential monetary and non-monetary benefits for the shortlisted options for reform, as well as the risks associated with each option. For more information on this, click here.
Public Transport Reform Team
Ports & Public Transport Division
Department for Regional Development
Room 101, Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
BELFAST
BT2 8GB
Telephone: (028) 9054 0225
Fax: (028) 9054 0598
Textphone:(028) 9054 0642
E-mail: publictransportreform@drdni.gov.uk.
