Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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436. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the use of diesel buses will be phased out from the Dublin Bus fleet. [10696/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Procurement of vehicles for Dublin Bus and other PSO bus fleets is a matter for the National Transport Authority.  As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have made clear my intent, and that of the Government, to transition from diesel fuelled buses towards greener fuels and technologies, for the great potential such technologies offer to reduce carbon and other harmful air pollutant emissions, and importantly, placing the public transport system in a leadership role.  As the Deputy will be aware, the National Development Plan commits Ireland to purchasing no new diesel-only buses for the urban public bus fleets after July 2019.

To further Ireland-specific data and information gathering regarding these technologies my Department is currently undertaking a series of low emission bus trials, supported by the Green Public Transport Fund, on a broad range of fuels and technologies, including electric, diesel-electric hybrid, hydrogen, compressed natural gas/biogas and two diesel buses retrofitted to Euro VI-class standard. It is expected that the trials will conclude in April 2019 and will help to inform future purchasing decisions.

It is also noteworthy that over the past few years, the oldest and most polluting buses (Euro III- and Euro IV-classes) in the PSO fleets have been incrementally phased out and replaced with cleaner Euro VI-class buses as part of the ongoing fleet renewal programme, with corresponding decreases in emissions from the fleet as a whole. Those older diesel vehicles still remaining in the fleet will naturally be the first to be replaced as we transition towards lower emitting alternatives following July 2019.

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.