Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Transport the percentage of air bus vehicles that are adapted for persons with disabilities; and if inspections are carried out to ensure that the amount of time bus drivers spend driving is in line with legislation. [14117/04]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The adaptation of vehicles for persons with disabilities by the company referred to in the Deputy's question is a day-to-day matter for the company. Services provided by the company are operated with coaches which are not available in readily accessible configuration. I indicated in response to the Deputy's Question No. 409 on 14 October 2003 that private bus operators are licensed to provide public transport services in accordance with the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, which is under review. It is proposed to replace the Act, which does not make specific reference to the provision of accessible buses, with a new statutory framework for the independent regulation of bus services.

I am committed to making public transport accessible for all categories of people with mobility impairments, such as the physically disabled, the sensory impaired, the elderly, parents with children, etc. I intend that the provision of accessible buses by bus operators will be addressed in detail in the context of the proposed new regulatory regime for bus services. When licences are being issued under the 1932 Act, my Department requests private operators to use low floor buses with accessibility features, where possible, in the provision of licensed bus services. When new vehicles are being purchased for licensed services, my Department requests that the buses accord with appropriate accessibility standards.

Regarding the rules governing drivers' hours, in accordance with Article 4.3 of Council regulation No. 3820/85, vehicles used for the carriage of passengers on regular services where the route covered by the service in question does not exceed 50 km are exempt from the regulation. As this exemption is applicable to the services being provided by Aircoach, my Department has no role in respect of carrying out inspections on the hours worked by Aircoach drivers. Where the relevant provisions apply, however, they are enforced and inspections are carried out for this purpose by officers of my Department.