Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of buses his Department estimates is required to make up an effective bus fleet to service the greater Dublin area; when the existing fleet was last increased through the introduction of new buses to Dublin Bus or new licences to private operators; the extent of this increase; if there are future plans to increase Dublin's bus fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28753/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 1,062 buses in the Dublin Bus fleet. The capacity of the fleet has increased by more than 25% at peak time under the NDP through the replacement of mini and single deck buses with higher capacity double deck buses.

Dublin Bus has purchased 497 new buses under the NDP, of which 93 are additional and 404 are replacement buses. The company has plans for further purchases this year.

In addition to the Dublin Bus services, my Department has issued in recent years 18 annual passenger licences to private bus operators for commercial services in the Dublin area.

Dublin Bus is currently carrying out a review of the bus network in Dublin and future bus needs. I consider this appropriate given the significant changes in the greater Dublin area since 1999 when the NDP was drawn up. Such changes include increases in rail capacity arising from the introduction of the Luas, expanded commuter services, the DART upgrade and ongoing demographic changes. The company is, in the first instance, assessing how to maximise the utilisation of its existing bus fleet. The company has informed me that it expects the bus network review to be completed early next year.