Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the provision of free wifi on public transport networks. [1577/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

A project to install Wi-Fi on the Dart and commuter rail fleet in the GDA commenced in 2011 and this will be completed in the current year. A similar project to install Wi-Fi on the remainder of the Inter -City fleet also commenced in 2011. In addition the Railway Procurement Agency is installing Wi-Fi for passengers on Luas trams this year. Dublin Bus also hopes to carry out a Wi-Fi pilot on 10 buses during the coming year and, depending on the results of this pilot phase, the company will examine the technical and financial feasibility of retrofitting Wi-Fi to the wider fleet.

In late 2011, Bus Eireann began the roll out of Wi-Fi on its PSO services and Wi-Fi is now fitted in 36 buses. Subject to funding availability, Bus Éireann plans to continue the roll out of Wi-Fi services on its PSO fleet through 2012. The 60 new PSO buses which Bus Éireann took delivery of in late 2011, and which are due to enter service in 2012, have Wi-Fi fitted. In addition, I understand that Bus Eireann will be using its own resources to fund the roll out of Wi-Fi across its commercial Expressway fleet during the second half of 2012.