Ms Anne Graham:

We have to start somewhere. It should be noted that the coach industry does not have a significant availability of the type of fleet we are trying to purchase. The regional low-floor bus is unusual and bespoke to Ireland and is not available to the same extent in other countries. In fact, the service we are providing in rural areas is innovative. At the same time, we accept that there will be a number of high-floor coaches in operation for a period, and we want to ensure the bus stop infrastructure is brought up to a level that can manage the wheelchair lifts. We are moving to having a 100% wheelchair accessible service in rural areas over a period, making sure that any new services tendered have a requirement to be wheelchair accessible. We have a high level of accessibility on those services, but we want to get to 100%.

In terms of commercial services, we are undertaking a consultation because we can put in conditions on licensed services regarding the level of accessibility. It is an ongoing public consultation, which may result in a requirement for commercial services to have low-floor access, particularly for urban services.