Background and Policy Objectives
3.The main purpose of the Act is to create an effective, efficient and sustainable public transport system that contributes to the Executive’s transportation, environmental, social inclusion and equality objectives.
4.This will be achieved through the introduction of new service delivery arrangements that will enable the Department to contract with public transport operators while ensuring compliance with EC Regulation 1370/2007. This will include powers to award contracts for Bus Rapid Transit.
5.Under the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967, the Department of the Environment is responsible for granting Road Service Licences for the carriage of passengers and their luggage by road. This licence includes both an operator element and a route/service element. This Act amends the definition and function of the Road Service Licence to a Bus Operator’s Licence which remains the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. The Department for Regional Development will become responsible for public transport service delivery through the contracting and service permit systems which are introduced in this Act.