Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The movement to low emission urban buses is central to the promotion and normalisation of cleaner fuels and technologies.  A major shift to cleaner alternatives across the entire transport sector is necessary if we are to reduce harmful emissions.

I am sure the Deputy recognises that the emissions savings potential from the urban bus fleet alone is limited because buses account for less than 3% of land transport emissions.  That is why I am also maintaining a strong focus on expanding the carrying capacity of our public transport system over the coming years.  That is how we can really help address the largest sustainability challenge in the transport sector, namely, shifting more journeys from private motoring towards suitable alternatives in public transport and active travel. 

I assure the Deputy that we are on a clear pathway to low emission urban buses. Implementing our commitment in the national development plan since this summer, Ireland is no longer buying diesel-only urban public buses.  Dublin Bus has already taken delivery of six electric hybrid buses, with a further three expected to be delivered by the year's end. There is a clear target in the climate action plan for 100 low emission buses to be on the road by the end of 2020.  The NTA has initiated a tender to award a framework contract for double-deck diesel-electric hybrid buses.

The bus trial compared a range of low emission buses along representative routes in Dublin and Cork. It provided useful insights into which technologies might be most appropriate in an Irish context.  A comprehensive report outlining the findings of the trial was issued to my Department earlier this month and I have sent the report to the NTA for its consideration.  I have published a high-level executive summary of the findings of the trial on my Department's website in line with a climate action plan commitment, and I also intend to release a non-commercially sensitive version of the full report before year end.

In summary, the results from the trial show that electric buses performed strongly across a range of metrics.  Electric-hybrid technology, where deployed in conjunction with certain biofuels, also emerged as a potentially viable alternative, as did biogas.  The overall results suggest that electrification represents a feasible option for fleet transition that could help us to tackle our carbon emissions, improve air quality and increase our use of renewable energy in transport.

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However, it is important to note that fully electric double-deck models were not available for trial and that these results refer to single-deck electric vehicles.  Indeed, electric double-deck models are only slowly becoming available.

The NTA is reviewing the outcomes of the trial and these, together with supply and operational considerations, will feed into the NTA's development of a medium-term fleet technology pathway for the urban public bus fleet.  That strategy is due to be brought forward by the NTA by the end of the year.

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