John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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469. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the alternative urban bus fleet trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29251/18]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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470. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of work being carried out to implement the targets as set out in the national development programme to cease purchasing diesel-only buses from July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29252/18]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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471. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the alternative urban bus fleet trials will begin in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29253/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 to 471, inclusive, together.

According to the most recent (2016) estimates from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), only about 3% of all transport-derived CO₂emissions come from bus and coach fleets. Converting these vehicles to low-carbon alternatives will have a limited mitigation impact on Ireland's overall CO₂ emissions. It will, however, show important leadership in this area and will promote and normalise the use of non-conventional fuels and technologies to the public.

As the Deputy is aware, under the new National Development Programme, we have committed that we will no longer buy diesel-only buses for the urban public bus fleet from July 2019. The decision on the most appropriate lower-emitting fuels and technologies for the Irish context will rest with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and work is already underway on preparing for implementation.

In tandem, an up-to-date and comprehensive set of vehicle trials is being planned to commence later this year to help further inform purchasing decisions for new buses over the coming years. The technologies likely to be tested include full electrification, diesel-electric hybrids, and compressed natural gas; it is expected that the vehicles will be tested in both the GDA and in a regional city. The trials are likely to consider CO₂emissions, air quality impacts, and contribution potential towards renewable energy targets as well as costs, vehicle availability, and operational/infrastructural requirements.

My Department is working together with the NTA and key urban transport operators (Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann) to develop and coordinate these trials, which are planned to commence before the end of this year. The cost of the trials is yet to be determined but it is expected that demonstration vehicles will be procured to conduct trials in test conditions without purchase costs being incurred. The majority of costs are expected to arise from the on-board assessment of real world emissions by independent consultants.

Noting its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred your questions to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.