Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the number of audible announcements on public transport. [41976/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 launched by my colleague, Minister of State for Disability, Finian McGrath T.D., in July last contains a number of transport actions, including one committing to the implementation of consistent and reliable on-board audio and visual announcements on all public transport vehicles.

While the issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the public transport operators, I understand that accessibility features, such as audio/visual aids, are built into all new vehicles from design stage, including the Luas. On-board oral and visual next stop announcements are now available on all subsidised bus services (apart from Local Link rural transport services). On-board oral and visual next stop announcements are available on approx. 80% of the rail fleet. These systems require update and investment which is subject to availability of funding.