Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the median and mean average size of BusConnects, by county, in tabular form. [37970/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the public transport fleet.

The Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero-emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.

100 double-deck electric buses have been accepted into the Dublin Bus fleet with more than 90 of these currently in service. Full deployment of these buses is dependent on bus schedule changes. Additionally, 34 double-deck electric buses entered service in Limerick earlier this year.

Electric buses produce no carbon emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.