Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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292. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if new double decker buses being procured by Dublin Bus will have adequate floor space on the ground floor for two wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45057/25]

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 development of public transport infrastructure.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) urban bus fleet is composed of a mixture of double-deck and single-deck urban buses; all of these buses have one dedicated wheelchair space.

On the double-deck buses, the low floor area between the front axle and the rear axle must accommodate any centre doorway, the lower part of the stairs to the upper deck and four priority seats (for people with visual impairments, women who are pregnant, people with invisible disabilities or for older persons), which leaves two spaces within this low floor area free to accommodate wheelchairs and prams/pushchairs/buggies.

The options available under the current regulations are for both spaces to be designated as accommodating wheelchairs, in which case one of the spaces must be designated as a combined wheelchair and pram/pushchair/buggy space, or to have separate wheelchair and pram/pushchair/buggy spaces.

Issues arising from the reluctance of some passengers travelling with a pram/pushchair/buggy to vacate the wheelchair space when it is required by a wheelchair user is one of the most frequent causes of complaints from stakeholders since the advent of low-floor buses. As as result, I understand that a conscious decision was made by the NTA that all new double-deck buses would have a dedicated space for a wheelchair and a separate dedicated space for a buggy. In addition, for consistency of provision regardless of vehicle type, new single-deck buses also have a dedicated space for a wheelchair and a separate dedicated space for a buggy.

This approach will be kept under review as further new buses and bus types are procured by the NTA, as advancements in design and/or changes in operating practices and/or amendments to regulations may enable additional facilities to be provided for passengers in future.

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.