The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD today launched the Transport 21 Second Annual Progress Report in respect of 2007.  A major highlight of the year was that spending on public transport, at €640m., increased by 82% over 2006. 

Further progress also took place on road building with over 600 kilometres of the planned 738 kilometres of Major Inter-Urban Routes (MIUs[1]) now either open to traffic or under construction. The NRA remains on target to complete the MIUs in 2010.

A total of €2.8bn was spent on Transport 21 in 2007 an increase of 46% on 2006.  In the ten-year lifetime of Transport 21, from 2006-2015, €108 per second is being spent to transform Ireland's transport infrastructure.

Cumulative expenditure in the two years since Transport 21 began was €4.7bn.

According to the Annual Report, expenditure on national roads was €2.2 billion and on public transport was €640.4m.  The estimated expenditure provision for 2008 is €986m, representing a further year on year increase of 54%.  This indicates the overall commitment in Transport 21 to delivering real public transport solutions throughout Ireland.  

Minister Dempsey said: "Transport 21 is delivering tangible benefits increased public transport facilities, more services, shorter travel times and greater connectivity between the regions".

  "At €34bn, this is the largest coordinated transport infrastructure project in Irish history.  It encompasses trains, trams, buses and roads, and it is delivering new projects from 2006 to 2015, in every part of the country," he added. 

  "This is Progress in Motion and everybody will benefit from the social and economic benefits of Transport 21 projects," concluded the Minister.

At the end of 2007, the following had been delivered under Transport 21:

• The M1 Dublin Border motorway completed
• 86% of the five Major Inter-Urban routes (MIUs) was either open to traffic or at construction
• All other projects on the MIU network are now through the statutory approval process
• 11 national road projects were completed during the year
• Construction started on a further 10 national road projects
• Hourly return services on the Cork Dublin route were introduced
• Passenger numbers grew by 14% on the Cork service
• New intercity railcars were introduced on the Sligo line 
• Upgrading of the Kildare rail line commenced to permit a major increase in route services
• Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor started
• Dublin Docklands railway station opened
• New buses were delivered in Dublin
• Longer trams were introduced on the Tallaght Luas line (increasing length from 30-40m)
• Work started on the Cherrywood and Docklands Luas extensions
• Grants totalling €86 million were approved for the six regional airports

Expressing satisfaction at the progress that has been made to date on Transport 21, the Minister said: "2007 saw a considerable increase in investment in public transport delivering increased capacity on Luas, buses and suburban and intercity trains, a new train station at Dublin's Docklands and perhaps more importantly, on the start of construction of a number of major rail projects.  In addition, eleven roads projects were completed including the first of the MIUs from Dublin to the Border, and ten new roads projects started".  

  "Both this year and last, Transport 21 also focused extensively on value for money and accountability.  It is imperative in a programme of this size and complexity that close monitoring procedures are in place," he added.

Progress will continue this year with Transport 21's 2008 expenditure provision at almost €3bn.  Focus on public transport delivery will continue as a priority.

In line with Transport 21's commitment to the National Spatial Strategy, regional investment delivered:

• Faster, more frequent and higher quality rail and bus services between Dublin and the Gateways/hubs
• Significant time savings in travel times between Dublin, the Gateways and many of the Hubs in the regions
• Good progress on the Atlantic Road Corridor
• €86m grants to the six regional airports, €47m of which was for developmental projects

From 2008 transport improvements in the regions will accelerate with increased emphasis on public transport improvements.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Martin Mackin/Catherine Logan              Olive Stephens/Barry Moyles

Q4PR 01 475 1444                                Department of Transport Press Office

087 814 5030 / 086 811 4785                 087 7601642 / 087 9691249