‘Transport Trends 2015’ outlines progress being made while identifying where improvements are needed – Donohoe

6th July, 2015

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Monday) welcomed the Irish transport overview compiled within his Department, detailing emerging trends from the latest transport data and statistics. Minister Donohoe said the report, entitled ‘Transport Trends; An Overview of Ireland’s Transport Sector’, clearly identifies the areas in which we are making progress, and those where there is a definite need for improvement (see link at end).

 

Commenting on the report, Minister Donohoe said: ‘Transport Trends 2015 is a valuable piece of work carried out by my Department which gives a broad overview of the transport system in Ireland, the level of investment needed versus what is currently allocated and an overview of how the system is being used’.

 

“What is clear is that transport plays a significant role in the development of our economy and that due to renewed growth in transport demand, after a number of years of contraction, the need for investment now is greater than ever. Other points of note are that while we are making strides in the right direction, the private car is still the mode of transport favoured by the majority of the travelling public. This becomes even more unsustainable as traffic volumes increase, our roads get busier and the congestion and environmental impacts are realised. That is why, since coming to Office, I have prioritised greater use of sustainable transport and continually encouraged people to get out of the car and onto the Luas, DART, buses, bike share schemes and other modes of public transport.

 

“I would like to thank the Economic and Financial Evaluation Unit (EFEU) within my Department for the work they have done in this area, which clearly sets out where we are and where the focus needs to be in the months and years ahead.”

 

Notes to Editors:

Link to the document is here: http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/corporate/english/transport-trends/transport-trends-2015-final-3.pdf

Some interesting statistics:

  • The Department’s level of investment in land transport (roads and public transport) has fallen to around €1 billion in 2015 which represents a €300 million gap to the identified minimum level to maintain the current system as it is in its current form without making significant capacity enhancements.

 

  • Total Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport expenditure has decreased from a 2008 peak of €3.6 billion to €1.7 billion in 2014, which is around the level seen in 2002/2003.

 

  • 2014 saw expenditure levels of around €1.4 billion on land transport, €95 million on tourism services, €69 million on sports and recreation, €77 million on maritime and €23 million on civil aviation.

 

  • Car use has recently been on an upward trend with total annual vehicle kms increasing by 1.2% between 2011 and 2013. However, this is still 1.7% lower than the 2008 peak.

 

  • 75% of all journeys are being taken by car while bus accounts for 3.8% and rail/Dart/Luas for 1.5%. Walking represents 15.4% of all journeys, with cycling at 1.3%.

 

  • The transport sector accounted for the largest share of Ireland’s primary energy demand in 2013 at 33% with the residential and industrial sectors responsible for 27% and 24% respectively.

 

  • There were just over 200,000 flights into and out of Irish airports in 2013. Dublin Airport accounted for 79% of flights handled in the five main airports. Cork (10%), Shannon (6%), Knock (3%) and Kerry (2%) accounted for the rest.

 

  • The total number of bikes provided through the four public bike schemes is 2,240. The schemes are in place in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

 

  • Reliance on the car for travel is stronger in areas outside Dublin (77%) than in Dublin (61%) with public transport and sustainable modes utilised more in the capital.

 

  • Passenger numbers for Dublin Bus declined from a peak of 147.5 million in 2007 to 115.2 million in 2012. However, this has grown by 3% to 118.6 million in 2014. Bus Éireann numbers declined from their 2007 peak (50.2 million) to a lower level in 2011 (36.5 million) before experiencing renewed growth in 2013 and 2014.

 

Ends