{"id":19280,"date":"2022-10-06T22:52:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T22:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=19280"},"modified":"2024-02-04T15:21:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T15:21:07","slug":"19280-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/","title":{"rendered":"National Transport Authority"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#NTA\" title=\"NTA\">NTA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Licensing_Bus_Services\" title=\"Licensing Bus Services\">Licensing Bus Services<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#New_Licensing_Regime\" title=\"New Licensing Regime\">New Licensing Regime<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Application_for_Licence\" title=\"Application for Licence\">Application for Licence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Licence_Terms\" title=\"Licence Terms\">Licence Terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Operational_Matters\" title=\"Operational Matters\">Operational Matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Licensing_Issues\" title=\"Licensing Issues\">Licensing Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Regional_Authorities\" title=\"Regional Authorities\">Regional Authorities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/19280-2\/#Bus_Priority_Measures\" title=\"Bus Priority Measures\">Bus Priority Measures<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NTA\"><\/span>NTA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The National Transport Authority or NTA is the transport authority for Greater Dublin and the public transport licensing agency for Ireland. It was established under the provisions of the <i>Dublin Transport Authority Act (2008)<\/i>\u00a0and the\u00a0<i>Public Transport Regulation Act (2009)<\/i>, on 1 December 2009.<\/p>\n<p>The NTA took over certain functions from the Department of Transport and the entire role of the Dublin Transportation Office.<\/p>\n<p>The Dublin Transport Authority was renamed the National Transport Authority and assumes the Commission for Taxi Regulation.\u00a0 It extended the DTA legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority&#8217;s functions are revised to include regulated competition in the provision of licensed bus passenger services, the public interest and the provision of a well-functioning, attractive, integrated and safe public transport system of services and networks for all the users.<\/p>\n<p>NTA\u00a0 also took over the functions of the Commission for Taxi Regulation when Part 4 of the Public Transport Regulation Act (2009) commenced on 1 January 2011. The Commission for Taxi Regulation was dissolved, and its staff, assets, etc., are transferred to the Authority.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Licensing_Bus_Services\"><\/span>Licensing Bus Services<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009\u00a0 sought to establish a modern system of licensing commercial public bus passenger services.\u00a0 It sought to promote regulated competition in licensed bus passenger services nationally and sought to promote integrated, well-functioning and cost-efficient public transport service. The legislation allowed for new contractual arrangements.<\/p>\n<p>It introduced new contractual arrangements for procurement of public transport services on a national basis based on the same approach as the Dublin Transport Authority Act.\u00a0 It provided for the transfer of the Commission for Taxi Regulation to the Dublin Transport Authority, which is renamed the National Transport Authority, reflecting its increased national role.<\/p>\n<p>The Act sets out arrangements under which the commercial services operated by the Dublin Bus and Bus \u00c9ireann and private operators are to be brought within the scope of the new licensing system.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Licensing_Regime\"><\/span>New Licensing Regime<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Act established a new licensing regime for commercial, public bus services.\u00a0 It applies to all services, including those provided by the Bus \u00c9ireann and Dublin Bus.\u00a0 It sets out modernised criteria with reference to which licence applications are considered.\u00a0 It updates the penalty.<\/p>\n<p>National public bus services other than those subject to a public transport services contract or an international service may only be provided under a licence under the legislation.\u00a0 Providing a service without a licence constitutes an offence.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority may specify different categories of bus passenger services for which licences are granted.\u00a0 They are to be valid for the period specified.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority may prepare and publish guidelines in relation to the licensing process and regime.\u00a0 The guidelines and any amendments to them are subject to consultation with the Minister, the competition Authority and the public generally.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Application_for_Licence\"><\/span>Application for Licence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Authority determines the form of application, required information, and supporting documents.\u00a0 The fact is to be taken into account in considering licence applications are specified.\u00a0 The licences are considered to have regard to the general functions of the Authority.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of all applications, the demand or potential demand for the proposed service having regard to the needs of consumers must be considered.\u00a0 There are other strategic provisions to which the Authority may have regard in relation to applications for the \u00a0various particular categories of licence.<\/p>\n<p>This includes the impact the service would have on existing public service transport services in the vicinity of a route that are subject to public transport services contracts under the Dublin Transport Authority Act. The Authority must also consider a number of other requirements.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority may give guidance in relation to consideration of its applications through guidelines drawn up by the Authority.\u00a0 The Authority must inform the applicant of the outcome of the licence application.\u00a0 It must give reasons for refusal of a grant of licence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Licence_Terms\"><\/span>Licence Terms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Authority may offer a licence in respect of all licences or in respect of certain categories of licences.\u00a0 This is to facilitate applicants in a likely indication as to its proposed granting of licence so that the licence applicant can organise his expectations, etc., accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority determines fees chargeable which are used to pay the expenses of the Authority.<\/p>\n<p>Conditions may be applied to the licence or to any amendment or renewal of it.\u00a0 The legislation sets out specific categories of matters which may be provided for in conditions including ticketing, number of vehicles, accessibility, and emission standards.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Operational_Matters\"><\/span>Operational Matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Authority may require a licence holder to provide and publish a timetable for the licensed service.\u00a0 It may require details of a licence to be displayed in a vehicle providing the services.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority itself may publish timetables.\u00a0 The Authority may impose different conditions on different categories of licence.\u00a0 Noncompliance with the terms of a licence is an offence.<\/p>\n<p>A public bus service must generally be in operation within four months of the date the licence is granted.\u00a0 The Authority may extend time.\u00a0 Otherwise, the licence may be revoked.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Licensing_Issues\"><\/span>Licensing Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is a provision for the renewal of licences.\u00a0 There is a provision for the continuation of the licence in the event of the death of a licence holder.\u00a0 There are provisions where the Authority may permit the transfer of a licence to a third party.<\/p>\n<p>Legislation sets out circumstances in which an Authority may revoke a licence.\u00a0 Revocation takes place when the licence is not being used in that the service is not being provided.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority may designate officers who determine applications for licences and their revocation.\u00a0 There is a provision for appeals against licensing decisions and their revocation.<\/p>\n<p>Officers are appointed for the purpose of dealing with appeals by the Chief Executive Officer.\u00a0 Where the applicant is dissatisfied with the results of the appeal, he may appeal to the Circuit Court.<\/p>\n<p>Offences under the legislation may be prosecuted by the Authority or by a member from Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.\u00a0 Offences may be committed by corporate bodies.\u00a0 On summary conviction, the offence may be subject to a fine of up to \u20ac5000.<\/p>\n<p>The Authority must conduct a review of the licensing regime every five years or at the request of the Minister.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Regional_Authorities\"><\/span>Regional Authorities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Authority is given a role in relation to the preparation of regional planning guidelines outside the Greater Dublin area, equivalent to that given in the Greater Dublin area under the Dublin Transport Authority Act.<\/p>\n<p>All regional authorities are obliged to consult with the Authority when preparing regional planning guidelines for their areas.\u00a0 The guidelines are to include a statement of action to be taken to ensure effective integration of transport and land use planning.<\/p>\n<p>The Minister is given powers to issue directions to regional authorities to review their draft for each planning guideline.\u00a0 It is also to provide effective integration of transport and land use planning. The legislation deals with an EU requirement in relation to the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the levying of charges for the use of the same and safety certification.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bus_Priority_Measures\"><\/span>Bus Priority Measures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The powers of local road authorities to provide bus priority measures and cycle facilities are clarified.\u00a0 A step-in power is provided to the Authority.\u00a0 Bus priority measures are exempted from regulations applicable to local Authority development under the Planning Acts.<\/p>\n<p>Bus priority measures are delivered under road traffic legislation as an executive function of the Council.\u00a0 There is an exception in respect of measures involving road widening.\u00a0 This section seeks to provide a quicker, efficient, and more efficient method of providing bus priority measures.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-19280\" data-postid=\"19280\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-19280 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NTA The National Transport Authority or NTA is the transport authority for Greater Dublin and the public transport licensing agency for Ireland. It was established under the provisions of the Dublin Transport Authority Act (2008)\u00a0and the\u00a0Public Transport Regulation Act (2009), on 1 December 2009. The NTA took over certain functions from the Department of Transport [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[232],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19280"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19280"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19280\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31378,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19280\/revisions\/31378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}