Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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416. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the installation of the next generation automatic vehicle location system on existing bus services in Dublin west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19654/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the development of technology systems.

The NTA awarded a contract to implement and support a national Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system for all Public Service Obligation (PSO) buses to Trapeze in December 2023. This upgrade will improve the quality of bus service operations and the timeliness and the quality of real-time bus service information.

This will enable the NTA to consolidate several existing bus AVL systems into one central system to be used by all PSO bus operators in Ireland and has expansion capacity to meet the growing demand for public transport in Ireland. The migration to this upgraded system is expected to take place across the coming years.

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

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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417. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the installation of the next generation automatic vehicle location system on bus services nationally in Dublin west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19655/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the development of technology systems.

The NTA awarded a contract to implement and support a national Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system for all Public Service Obligation (PSO) buses to Trapeze in December 2023. This upgrade will improve the quality of bus service operations and the timeliness and the quality of real-time bus service information.

This will enable the NTA to consolidate several existing bus AVL systems into one central system to be used by all PSO bus operators in Ireland and has expansion capacity to meet the growing demand for public transport in Ireland. The migration to this upgraded system is expected to take place across the coming years.

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

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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418. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the electrification of bus depots required to support the operational readiness for the rollout of the BusConnects B-Spine in Quarter 2 of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19656/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 electrification of public transport.

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.

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

Charging points in bus depots and electric buses have started rolling out in recent years. There are over 100 double-deck electric buses in service in Dublin. Further electric buses will continue to roll out on an incremental basis over the coming years.

New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first six phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. Most recently, the E-Spine connecting Ballymun to Bray and L routes in Wicklow rolled out in January.

The redesign of the entire network, including the B Spine, connecting Blanchardstown to Belfield via the City Centre, will continue on an incremental basis subject to funding and driver availability.

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

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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419. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus depots in Dublin; to provide an update on the electrification of bus depots in Dublin; to list the depots that have been fully electrified, those currently undergoing electrification and those where electrification has yet to commence; the expected timeline for the completion of electrification at each depot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19657/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 electrification of public transport.

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.

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

Charging points in bus depots and electric buses have started rolling out in recent years. There are over 100 double-deck electric buses in service in Dublin. Further electric buses will continue to roll out on an incremental basis over the coming years.

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

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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420. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the original timelines given on the electrification of bus depots in Dublin and all reasons for the delay in meeting those original timelines [19658/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 electrification of public transport.

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.

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

Charging points in bus depots and electric buses have started rolling out in recent years. There are over 100 double-deck electric buses in service in Dublin. Further electric buses will continue to roll out on an incremental basis over the coming years.

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