Under the 2017 Budget, Dublin’s LRT Luas Cross City project will receive EUR 344 million to ensure completion of the project.
The overall allocation or the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is EUR 1.8 billion, representing a EUR 72 million or over 4% increase on 2016.
The public transport subvention will increase by 11% (additional EUR 31 million), and the regional and local roads programme increases by 10% to EUR 275 million in capital funding.
“I have spoken in recent weeks of my wish to increase the level of PSO funding available for allocation by the NTA. I am delighted therefore, that this year I am able to provide an additional €31 million (or 11%) to fund our public transport service contracts and our Rural Transport Programme. I am committed to delivering a progressive, safe and efficient public transport system that serves all who use it,” Minister for Transport Shane Ross said.
While the NTA (National Transport Authority) will decide the exact allocation to each operator over the next few weeks, this increase in PSO funding will provide for much needed improvements to public transport services such as the rolling out 10 minute DART services, the extension of Kildare Line commuter rail services, the maintenance progress with the bus market opening competitions and the allocation of additional EUR 2 million for the Rural Transport Programme will improve existing services and develop new routes in 2017.
The increased allocation will also allow for exchequer support for the vitally important heavy rail maintenance programme within the PSO funding stream.
The existing Capital Plan provides EUR 10 billion for transport over 7 years. The 2017 budget adds a further EUR 55 million annually to the baseline capital funding next year which translates to a EUR 330 million increase over the remaining 6 years of the plan.
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