Written answer
Bus Services
The Minister said delayed electric-bus deployment caused no service loss, with diesel buses continuing; 90 buses await charging infrastructure before planned 2026–27 deployment.
287. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional passenger services that could have been operated had the 98 battery electric buses currently in storage been available for service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65202/26]
Comment on this
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision and upgrade of public bus fleets and bus depots and has statutory responsibility for securing, scheduling and timetabling public passenger transport services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that there is currently no loss as a result of delayed absorption of the electric buses, with older diesel buses continuing in service until the electric buses enter service.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if the Deputy does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Pending a more detailed response, I note that over 250 battery-electric buses have been accepted into the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets across the country, including the operation of our first fully electric services in Limerick and Athlone. The electrification of the bus fleet is a key part of the BusConnects programmes and in our investment in public transport across the country more generally, helping to make a sustainable mode of travel even more sustainable.
There are now 90 zero-emission battery-electric buses awaiting deployment pending the bringing on stream of charging infrastructure, of which 36 are destined for the GDA and 54 destined for Galway. Plans are in place for all Dublin-bound buses to be in service by the end of this year, while all buses destined for Galway will enter service across late 2026 and early 2027.
Implementation of further phases of electrification at existing bus depots will be greatly assisted by the NTA's new Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure framework contract, which has been finalised and will be formally awarded shortly.