Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority, NTA, in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  I ask her to please advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.

As regards accessibility generally, I understand that Bus Éireann regularly sends customer service notices to its depots around the country to remind staff of their responsibilities regarding passengers with specific needs. Of course, customers should raise specific incidents directly with the bus operator in the first instance. There has been considerable progress in enhancing the accessibility of bus services in the State.  This progress is most apparent in the subsidised bus fleet, which is funded by the State via the NTA.  The Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets are now 100% accessible while most Bus Éireann coaches are wheelchair accessible.

During 2016 the NTA intends to begin the installation of wheelchair accessible bus stops across the Bus Éireann network.  The long-term objective is to install a wheelchair accessible bus stop in every town in the State.  The NTA is rolling this out on a route-by-route basis starting this year with Bus Éireann routes 30, Dublin-Donegal, and 32, Dublin-Letterkenny.

Some of what I have said is repetition, as was the Deputy's question, to some extent, but the following is new. Progress on the provision of wheelchair accessible bus services has been slower among operators of commercial bus services which do not have access to State funding.  In late 2014, the NTA launched a public consultation on ways to support the transition to wheelchair accessible buses among licensed bus operators.  Among the issues identified in the responses to the public consultation is the suitability of high-floor coaches with wheelchair lift compared to low-floor buses.  Accordingly, the NTA is examining whether there is an alternative approach which improves the customer experience of wheelchair users of services outside of cities and is looking at the subsidised bus fleet purchase as well as possible changes to the licensing of commercial services.

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