Written answers

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Bus Services

Photo of Margaret Murphy O'MahonyMargaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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830. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses across the entire fleet that have been fitted with wheelchair accessible lifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/16]

Photo of Margaret Murphy O'MahonyMargaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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832. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus stops by county that currently are not wheelchair accessible in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22192/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 830 and 832 together.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing or providing public transport infrastructure including the PSO bus fleets.

Measures to provide for full accessibility are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. In this regard my Department provides funding to the NTA for a rolling programme of bus replacement of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the Greater Dublin Area and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.

Photo of Margaret Murphy O'MahonyMargaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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831. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus drivers that have been trained to operate wheelchair lifts on buses; the number still waiting to be trained; the cost of training all bus drivers to operate the aforementioned lifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22191/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and funding in relation to public transport.

My Department provides funding to the NTA for a rolling programme of bus replacement of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the Greater Dublin Area and nationally.  This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.

The issue of training Bus Eireann coach drivers to operate these lifts is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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