Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for an improvement of bus infrastructure in Limerick city, appreciating the lack of such infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22419/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment programme in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

In 2023, the NTA carried out an extensive review and public consultation of the bus network in Limerick, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Bus Éireann, and with the specialised expertise of transport designers, Jarrett Walker and Associates. The NTA published the final new bus network for Limerick in December 2023. The redesign of the bus network is one of the nine key elements of BusConnects Limerick that aims to transform the city's bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.The new bus network will enable more people to avail of public transport resulting in increased access to a greater number of schools and workplaces across Limerick city. Overall, circa 41% of residents will live within 400 metres of a high frequency bus route.

The first phase of battery-electric bus charging infrastructure came on-stream at Bus Éireann’s Roxboro Depot in Limerick in February 2024, allowing 34 double-deck battery-electric buses to enter passenger service in Limerick during 2024.

The second phase of battery-electric bus charging infrastructure was substantially complete at the end of 2024, and an additional 21 double-deck battery-electric buses are expected to enter passenger service throughout 2025.

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 working days.