THE PROPOSAL in this week's Green Paper on local government that the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) is to be chaired by whoever becomes the capital's first directly-elected mayor will compensate only partly for a significant democratic deficit in the authority's composition.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, said he had got the agreement of his colleague, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, that the mayor would chair the DTA - in 2011; as currently framed, this powerful new body would be headed by a ministerial appointee.
The Dublin Transport Authority Bill, published last week, provides that none of the 10 members of the authority would be elected representatives, and that only four of the 12 on its advisory council would be members of the Dublin and Mid-East regional authorities. The rest would all be appointees of the Minister for Transport - chosen, the Bill says, on the basis of their expertise in "relevant disciplines", such as finance, transport or planning - as well as ex-officio members such as Dublin city manager John Tierney.
Lest there be any impression that the DTA is not a creature of central government, there are no less than 230 direct references to the Minister in its 78 pages - mainly dealing with his powers to order the affairs of the authority; in this respect, it is par for the course. Establishment of the DTA, according to the explanatory memorandum, "will ensure, for the first time, that there is a single, properly accountable body with overall responsibility for surface transport in the Greater Dublin Area" (GDA), which includes Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
Its general functions will include strategic transport planning, provision of public transport services and infrastructure and traffic management. It will also take over responsibility from the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) for the thorny issue of introducing integrated ticketing. But the RPA will stay in business, with continuing responsibility for the delivery of Luas and metro projects. Indeed, the agency fought an evidently successful bureaucratic battle against an earlier, apparently firm proposal that it would simply be subsumed into the DTA.
The only body that is to be dissolved under the Legislation is the Dublin Transportation Office, which has performed a co-ordinating role for transport in the region and was also the originator of the metro plan - now causing "wigs on the Green" as details of its design emerge.
The DTA's first duty will be to prepare a six-year transport strategy for the GDA - in consultation with the local authorities as well as the wider community - covering investment in infrastructure, and the procurement and integration of public transport services. In preparing its integrated implementation plan, the DTA will get written guidance from the Minister on "multi-annual funding arrangements", though it will be obliged to have "due regard" for "the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of Exchequer resources". Where possible, the DTA is required to secure the provision of public transport infrastructure through existing agencies, such as the National Roads Authority, the local authorities, Iarnrod Eireann and the RPA - though it will have "step-in" powers, if any of these fail. However, the Bill does nothing to liberalise or open up the Dublin bus market. The "exclusive rights" of Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus and Iarnrod Eireann to operate the services they currently provide are reaffirmed, and the DTA is obliged to award them direct contracts.
One of the most significant provisions of the Bill is the land use planning powers it gives the new agency. In future, there will be an onus on the GDA's seven local authorities to ensure that their development plans are consistent with the DTA's transport strategy. The Dublin and Mid-East regional authorities, though largely powerless, will also be required to include a statement in their regional planning guidelines "explaining how there will be effective integration of transport and land use planning", the memorandum says.
Furthermore, the 2000 Planning Act is being amended to give the Minister for the Environment power to direct any of the GDA's local authorities to review or vary their draft development plan to ensure that its objectives are consistent with the DTA's transport strategy.
Another amendment to the Planning Act will make it easier for the local authorities to refuse planning permission for any development that would be inconsistent with the transport strategy, because they wouldn't risk having to pay compensation to disappointed developers.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label dublin transport authority bill 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dublin transport authority bill 2008. Show all posts
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
The Dublin Transport Authority Bill
The numbers.
12 to 20 - the years for which a DTA transport strategy will apply
7 the number of local authorities in the greater Dublin area which will subject their development plans the DTA strategy
6 the number of years for each DTA transport implementation plan
5 the number of transport operators subject to DTA remit. Including the private sector as one, the other four are Dublin Bus, Dart, Bus Éireann, and the RPA
4 the number of counties, Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, which will share in the proposed 'Transport for Dublin' or 'Dublin Transport' style brand.
3 Months to introduce the legislation into the Dáil
2 Main concerns of the DTA: land use and transportation
1 the date in January next when the Minister hopes the DTA will be operational.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
12 to 20 - the years for which a DTA transport strategy will apply
7 the number of local authorities in the greater Dublin area which will subject their development plans the DTA strategy
6 the number of years for each DTA transport implementation plan
5 the number of transport operators subject to DTA remit. Including the private sector as one, the other four are Dublin Bus, Dart, Bus Éireann, and the RPA
4 the number of counties, Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, which will share in the proposed 'Transport for Dublin' or 'Dublin Transport' style brand.
3 Months to introduce the legislation into the Dáil
2 Main concerns of the DTA: land use and transportation
1 the date in January next when the Minister hopes the DTA will be operational.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Authority to oversee transport planning in Dublin area
PLANNING AND development in the Greater Dublin Area will in future have to demonstrate "consistency" with a strategy to be prepared by the incoming Dublin Transport Authority, it was announced yesterday.
The move has already been welcomed by the Irish Planning Institute which called for such land use and transportation regulations to be extended to all regional hubs and gateways.
Under the terms of the Bill, the authority will also be the funding body for new infrastructure such as Metro North and the new Luas lines and will assume responsibility for integrated ticketing, creating a single "transport brand" across the four counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The Dublin Transport Authority will also oversee the development of "Underground Dart", between Heuston Station and the Docklands. Also included in its remit is the co-ordination of traffic management across the seven local authorities in the region, and the development of new transport infrastructure, including potential new roads and new rail links.
The new authority will also be responsible for setting public transport fares in the region.
Mr Dempsey is also considering a late amendment to the Bill to include the Commission for Taxi Regulation in the new authority.
However, the new authority will not be "some monolith", according to the Minister, who said local authorities and transport companies would still be responsible for day-to-day operations. While the authority will be involved in land use planning "from the earliest possible stage", such plans will continue to be made by local authorities. The ministers for the environment or for transport will have powers to ensure the development plans are "consistent" with DTA strategy.
The Dublin Transport Authority will also leave the day-to-day running of transport companies to the operators but the operators must comply with the requirements of a 12 to 20-year strategy and a six-year implementation programme prepared by the DTA.
In the case of infrastructure projects, the authority will have "step in" powers where it believes this would be beneficial.
The authority will be reporting to the Minister for Transport and Oireachtas committees. Its strategy and implementation plans are to be subject to ministerial approval.
Commenting on the timescale for the plans yesterday, Mr Dempsey said he had been assured by Fine Gael that the Opposition would treat the passage of the Bill as important and urgent. Mr Dempsey said he hoped to introduce the legislation to the Dáil this summer and was planning for the authority to be set up on a statutory basis on January 1st, 2009.
However Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said delays with the Bill meant it would already be too late to co-ordinate planning for the planned new rail lines for Dublin.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The move has already been welcomed by the Irish Planning Institute which called for such land use and transportation regulations to be extended to all regional hubs and gateways.
Under the terms of the Bill, the authority will also be the funding body for new infrastructure such as Metro North and the new Luas lines and will assume responsibility for integrated ticketing, creating a single "transport brand" across the four counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The Dublin Transport Authority will also oversee the development of "Underground Dart", between Heuston Station and the Docklands. Also included in its remit is the co-ordination of traffic management across the seven local authorities in the region, and the development of new transport infrastructure, including potential new roads and new rail links.
The new authority will also be responsible for setting public transport fares in the region.
Mr Dempsey is also considering a late amendment to the Bill to include the Commission for Taxi Regulation in the new authority.
However, the new authority will not be "some monolith", according to the Minister, who said local authorities and transport companies would still be responsible for day-to-day operations. While the authority will be involved in land use planning "from the earliest possible stage", such plans will continue to be made by local authorities. The ministers for the environment or for transport will have powers to ensure the development plans are "consistent" with DTA strategy.
The Dublin Transport Authority will also leave the day-to-day running of transport companies to the operators but the operators must comply with the requirements of a 12 to 20-year strategy and a six-year implementation programme prepared by the DTA.
In the case of infrastructure projects, the authority will have "step in" powers where it believes this would be beneficial.
The authority will be reporting to the Minister for Transport and Oireachtas committees. Its strategy and implementation plans are to be subject to ministerial approval.
Commenting on the timescale for the plans yesterday, Mr Dempsey said he had been assured by Fine Gael that the Opposition would treat the passage of the Bill as important and urgent. Mr Dempsey said he hoped to introduce the legislation to the Dáil this summer and was planning for the authority to be set up on a statutory basis on January 1st, 2009.
However Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said delays with the Bill meant it would already be too late to co-ordinate planning for the planned new rail lines for Dublin.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 14 April 2008
Developers targeted in clampdown on planning standards
DEVELOPERS face a massive clampdown in the Greater Dublin Area under new rules to be unveiled today.
They will no longer be allowed to build housing estates in the region unless there is proper transport already up and running.
The long-awaited Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) is charged with ending the widespread practice where developers were able to build houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without having proper public transport in place.
The Government will today announce the establishment of the DTA to oversee transport development in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
It will have sweeping powers to reform transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Aside from coordinating planning of transport projects, the single transport body is also intended to speed up the delivery of infrastructure.
The DTA will also act as a watchdog for planning transport links to new developments.
The long-awaited authority is supposed to ensure the days are gone when developers are able to develop houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without proper public transport.
Transport in the Greater Dublin Area is generally regarded as seriously lacking in joined-up thinking on infrastructure and services.
The DTA is intended to draw together all the various elements and state bodies involved in transport.
The authority will cover the areas Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will publish the Dublin Transport Authority Bill today and outline his plans for its establishment.
The bill is regarded as arguably the most important new laws the Department of Transport will pass during this Government's term in office.
One of the main elements of this new bill are the provisions it contains pertaining to land use and transport.
The legislation has watertight provisions to prevent residential or commercial developments being built without proper provisions for public transport.
The planning authorities will in future have to agree on where development will take place and how it will be served by transport.
If an individual council objects or tries to ignore the advice of the DTA, the minister will have the power to order the council to abide by the recommendations.
The Dublin Transport Authority will cover a wide range of responsibilities:
l strategic transport planning;
l ensuring the delivery of public transport infrastructure;
l allocation of Exchequer funds for public transport and traffic management;
l procurement of public transport services;
l regulation of public transport fares;
l delivery on an integrated public transport system;
l traffic management.
Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
They will no longer be allowed to build housing estates in the region unless there is proper transport already up and running.
The long-awaited Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) is charged with ending the widespread practice where developers were able to build houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without having proper public transport in place.
The Government will today announce the establishment of the DTA to oversee transport development in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
It will have sweeping powers to reform transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Aside from coordinating planning of transport projects, the single transport body is also intended to speed up the delivery of infrastructure.
The DTA will also act as a watchdog for planning transport links to new developments.
The long-awaited authority is supposed to ensure the days are gone when developers are able to develop houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without proper public transport.
Transport in the Greater Dublin Area is generally regarded as seriously lacking in joined-up thinking on infrastructure and services.
The DTA is intended to draw together all the various elements and state bodies involved in transport.
The authority will cover the areas Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will publish the Dublin Transport Authority Bill today and outline his plans for its establishment.
The bill is regarded as arguably the most important new laws the Department of Transport will pass during this Government's term in office.
One of the main elements of this new bill are the provisions it contains pertaining to land use and transport.
The legislation has watertight provisions to prevent residential or commercial developments being built without proper provisions for public transport.
The planning authorities will in future have to agree on where development will take place and how it will be served by transport.
If an individual council objects or tries to ignore the advice of the DTA, the minister will have the power to order the council to abide by the recommendations.
The Dublin Transport Authority will cover a wide range of responsibilities:
l strategic transport planning;
l ensuring the delivery of public transport infrastructure;
l allocation of Exchequer funds for public transport and traffic management;
l procurement of public transport services;
l regulation of public transport fares;
l delivery on an integrated public transport system;
l traffic management.
Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Developers targeted in clampdown on planning standards
DEVELOPERS face a massive clampdown in the Greater Dublin Area under new rules to be unveiled today.
They will no longer be allowed to build housing estates in the region unless there is proper transport already up and running.
The long-awaited Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) is charged with ending the widespread practice where developers were able to build houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without having proper public transport in place.
The Government will today announce the establishment of the DTA to oversee transport development in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
It will have sweeping powers to reform transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Aside from coordinating planning of transport projects, the single transport body is also intended to speed up the delivery of infrastructure.
The DTA will also act as a watchdog for planning transport links to new developments.
The long-awaited authority is supposed to ensure the days are gone when developers are able to develop houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without proper public transport.
Transport in the Greater Dublin Area is generally regarded as seriously lacking in joined-up thinking on infrastructure and services.
The DTA is intended to draw together all the various elements and state bodies involved in transport.
The authority will cover the areas Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will publish the Dublin Transport Authority Bill today and outline his plans for its establishment.
The bill is regarded as arguably the most important new laws the Department of Transport will pass during this Government's term in office.
One of the main elements of this new bill are the provisions it contains pertaining to land use and transport.
The legislation has watertight provisions to prevent residential or commercial developments being built without proper provisions for public transport.
The planning authorities will in future have to agree on where development will take place and how it will be served by transport.
If an individual council objects or tries to ignore the advice of the DTA, the minister will have the power to order the council to abide by the recommendations.
The Dublin Transport Authority will cover a wide range of responsibilities:
l strategic transport planning;
l ensuring the delivery of public transport infrastructure;
l allocation of Exchequer funds for public transport and traffic management;
l procurement of public transport services;
l regulation of public transport fares;
l delivery on an integrated public transport system;
l traffic management.
Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
They will no longer be allowed to build housing estates in the region unless there is proper transport already up and running.
The long-awaited Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) is charged with ending the widespread practice where developers were able to build houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without having proper public transport in place.
The Government will today announce the establishment of the DTA to oversee transport development in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
It will have sweeping powers to reform transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Aside from coordinating planning of transport projects, the single transport body is also intended to speed up the delivery of infrastructure.
The DTA will also act as a watchdog for planning transport links to new developments.
The long-awaited authority is supposed to ensure the days are gone when developers are able to develop houses, apartment blocks, shopping centres or business parks without proper public transport.
Transport in the Greater Dublin Area is generally regarded as seriously lacking in joined-up thinking on infrastructure and services.
The DTA is intended to draw together all the various elements and state bodies involved in transport.
The authority will cover the areas Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will publish the Dublin Transport Authority Bill today and outline his plans for its establishment.
The bill is regarded as arguably the most important new laws the Department of Transport will pass during this Government's term in office.
One of the main elements of this new bill are the provisions it contains pertaining to land use and transport.
The legislation has watertight provisions to prevent residential or commercial developments being built without proper provisions for public transport.
The planning authorities will in future have to agree on where development will take place and how it will be served by transport.
If an individual council objects or tries to ignore the advice of the DTA, the minister will have the power to order the council to abide by the recommendations.
The Dublin Transport Authority will cover a wide range of responsibilities:
l strategic transport planning;
l ensuring the delivery of public transport infrastructure;
l allocation of Exchequer funds for public transport and traffic management;
l procurement of public transport services;
l regulation of public transport fares;
l delivery on an integrated public transport system;
l traffic management.
Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Dempsey unveils transport body in Bill
A body that will over see transport projects across the Greater Dublin area was unveiled by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey today.
The Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 will see the creation of a Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) that will have responsibility for co-ordinating transport in the Greater Dublin Area. This region takes in the local authority areas of Dublin city, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Under the Bill, the authority will have powers to ensure major infrastructure projects, such as the Metro, are delivered efficiently, cost effectively, and with minimal disruption. The DTA will also have powers to ensure all modes of public transport are integrated.
The public have a right to expect a world class, integrated public transport system and this new authority will have the powers to make that happen - Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey
"The public have a right to expect a world class, integrated public transport system and this new authority will have the powers to make that happen. . . . the DTA will ensure that these projects are delivered to the highest standards in the shortest time period possible," Mr Dempsey said.
“I have detected a broad level of support for the new authority. With that in mind I hope that there will be cross-party and wide public support for this Bill so that the new authority can start its work soon.”
It is envisaged the DTA will set out the framework for the delivery of infrastructure and services over a 12- to 20-year period, allocate funding for public transport and traffic management, and procure public transport services and regulate public transport fares, Mr Dempsey added.
The DTA will also be “closely engaged” in each stage of planning to ensure consistency between its transport strategy and the land-use planning process, he said.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce said the Bill was long overdue but promised “a strong body” to co-ordinate transport agencies in the Greater Dublin Area.
“Time is not on our side,” said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive. “Two of the biggest single projects under Transport 21 - the Metro and the Interconnector - are about to commence, and the Greater Dublin Area needs a single lead agency that can crack the whip and ensure the swift delivery of these projects with minimal disruption to businesses and commuters.”
“Dublin suffers from suburban sprawl, where workers face long commuting times with poor public transport options. This legislation provides the DTA with the powers to call a halt to this type of development,” she said.
Labour transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said the Bill should signal the end of the long-running saga to establish a DTA.
He welcomed provisions in the bill for the DTA to give binding directions to public transport agencies and to acquire land, and for enforcement measures to ensure the delivery of DTA decisions.
But Mr Broughan said Mr Dempsey had not clearly addressed the bus licensing issue, and that the Bill indicates that Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will continue to provide existing public bus passenger services under the 1932 laws.
He said, however, that as the DTA is designated as a public transport operator "of last resort" it can provide transport passenger services if existing operators fail or are unwilling to meet the obligations and standards set out by the DTA.
Mr Broughan also expressed concerns over duplication and overlap of responsibilities and duties between the new body and the existing Railway Procurement Agency.
The Irish Planning Institute welcomed the DTA but said it would like to see the idea extended into other gateway cities and hub towns.
Ireland.com
www.buckplanning.ie
The Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 will see the creation of a Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) that will have responsibility for co-ordinating transport in the Greater Dublin Area. This region takes in the local authority areas of Dublin city, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Under the Bill, the authority will have powers to ensure major infrastructure projects, such as the Metro, are delivered efficiently, cost effectively, and with minimal disruption. The DTA will also have powers to ensure all modes of public transport are integrated.
The public have a right to expect a world class, integrated public transport system and this new authority will have the powers to make that happen - Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey
"The public have a right to expect a world class, integrated public transport system and this new authority will have the powers to make that happen. . . . the DTA will ensure that these projects are delivered to the highest standards in the shortest time period possible," Mr Dempsey said.
“I have detected a broad level of support for the new authority. With that in mind I hope that there will be cross-party and wide public support for this Bill so that the new authority can start its work soon.”
It is envisaged the DTA will set out the framework for the delivery of infrastructure and services over a 12- to 20-year period, allocate funding for public transport and traffic management, and procure public transport services and regulate public transport fares, Mr Dempsey added.
The DTA will also be “closely engaged” in each stage of planning to ensure consistency between its transport strategy and the land-use planning process, he said.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce said the Bill was long overdue but promised “a strong body” to co-ordinate transport agencies in the Greater Dublin Area.
“Time is not on our side,” said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive. “Two of the biggest single projects under Transport 21 - the Metro and the Interconnector - are about to commence, and the Greater Dublin Area needs a single lead agency that can crack the whip and ensure the swift delivery of these projects with minimal disruption to businesses and commuters.”
“Dublin suffers from suburban sprawl, where workers face long commuting times with poor public transport options. This legislation provides the DTA with the powers to call a halt to this type of development,” she said.
Labour transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said the Bill should signal the end of the long-running saga to establish a DTA.
He welcomed provisions in the bill for the DTA to give binding directions to public transport agencies and to acquire land, and for enforcement measures to ensure the delivery of DTA decisions.
But Mr Broughan said Mr Dempsey had not clearly addressed the bus licensing issue, and that the Bill indicates that Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will continue to provide existing public bus passenger services under the 1932 laws.
He said, however, that as the DTA is designated as a public transport operator "of last resort" it can provide transport passenger services if existing operators fail or are unwilling to meet the obligations and standards set out by the DTA.
Mr Broughan also expressed concerns over duplication and overlap of responsibilities and duties between the new body and the existing Railway Procurement Agency.
The Irish Planning Institute welcomed the DTA but said it would like to see the idea extended into other gateway cities and hub towns.
Ireland.com
www.buckplanning.ie
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