Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 144: To ask the Minister for Transport the function which will be served by the new Dublin Bus depot at Harristown, which is nearing completion in view of the failure of this Government to fund the purchase of any additional buses for Dublin Bus, since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4751/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to advise the Deputy that Dublin Bus began to transfer buses to Harristown in October 2004 and the depot will be officially opened shortly. Harristown has capacity for 240 buses and the depot will cater for 199 buses immediately. The new garage is required because the Dublin Bus fleet of buses grew from approximately 900 buses in 1997 to 1,062 buses in 2004. Harristown now enables the company to house all its fleet within the confines of their depots.

With regard to a further expansion in the Dublin Bus fleet, I understand the management of the company is currently examining ways of maximising the utilisation of the existing bus fleet in light of the significant investment made to date under the national development plan, including investment in other modes and the ongoing changes in demand patterns for Dublin. In this context, it would be premature to make any decisions on further investment in additional capacity.