Transport budget up 17% to meet project promises

TRANSPORT has received one of the largest increases in the 2007 Estimates with spending to increase by 17% to just over €2.8 billion as the Government seeks to implement many important projects promised under its Transport 21 programme.

Funding for the Government’s public transport investment programme is going up 58% to over €777 million as the Department of Transport has provided for increased levels of spending on bus and rail services.

However, the Estimates provide no real clue as to the Budget for key projects such as the planned Metro for Dublin and the extension of the two existing Luas lines, despite criticism of Transport Minister Martin Cullen for failing to publish the cost of such projects.

Nearly €1.5bn will be invested in the National Roads Development Programme, up 9%. Funding for regional airports will go up 2% to €28m.

A 37% reduction in departmental staff costs is explained by the transfer of personnel to the new Road Safety Authority (RSA) which sees its funding increase to over €33m. A sum of €10m is provided to the RSA to reduce long waiting lists for the driving test.

A spokesperson for Mr Cullen said the funding would allow for continued investment on the development of an integrated transport infrastructure envisaged under Transport 21.

A sum of €9m is being set aside for the Rural Transport Initiative in 2007 as the budget for the hereto pilot project is being put on a permanent footing.

It is also understood that a 63% increase in the budget for miscellaneous aviation services to €1m is explained by costs incurred by the Aer Lingus flotation.

Although the Department of Transport has taken over responsibility for maritime safety, spending on the regulation of maritime transport is set to fall 7%.

Reacting to the Estimates, Fine Gael transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said the department’s spending proposals offer no relief for weary commuters. Ms Mitchell said four of the six big transport projects promised by Mr Cullen last year were never started, despite their funding being spent.

“Now Martin Cullen is getting ready to spend millions more of taxpayers’ money on these same projects with no guarantee they will even get underway this year,” said Ms Mitchell.

She also criticised the lack of any provision for increased subvention for CIÉ companies which would result in no improved capacity on public transport.