To ask the Minister for Transport the basis on which he approved a €4 charge for commuters using park and ride facilities at Luas stations; the efforts he has taken to establish whether this level of charge will discourage commuters from using the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Pat Rabbitte. (Nominated by: Róisín Shortall).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 7th July, 2004.
Ref No: 20430/04 Lottery: 84
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan)
REPLY
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) made proposals to me in relation to charging for Park and Ride facilities adjacent to Luas stops as provided for in the relevant Railway Orders. These facilities are available at three stops on the Red line (Sandyford, Stillorgan and Balally) and a further two are planned for the Red line at Tallaght Square and the Red Cow Depot.
The RPA proposed that the aim of such charges would be limited to covering the capital cost of providing barrier control and other facilities at the Park and Ride locations and meeting annual operation, maintenance and insurance costs. I supported this position.
The charges for Park and Ride will be nominal in the case of people using Luas, up to a maximum of 4 Euro per day, depending on length of stay. Park and Ride facilities will include barrier control, security, cycle stands, and messaging systems on availability of parking spaces.
