Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
320. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on his Department’s work to support the decarbonisation of public local bus routes, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 4 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55479/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, one of the key priorities under Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Programme is to provide former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition which is targeted at the wider Midlands Region.
The territory includes counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, as well as the municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Galway), Carrick on Suir, Thurles (Tipperary), Athy, and Clane-Maynooth (Kildare).
The Department is currently focussing on exploring two Public Transport enhancements, with the National Transport Authority (NTA) leading on the operational elements:
• Decarbonisation of a public local rural bus route including scoping, installation of electric charging points, and purchase of electric buses - (also Action JM/25/6 from the Climate Action Plan 2025); and
• Support to private bus operators in the territory to move to electric vehicles including consultancy support and support for specific aspect of the electrification upgrade.
Action JM/25/6 from the Climate Action Plan is progressing well with works to commence on the installation of an electric charging point at Longford Bus Éireann depot during Q4 of 2025. Additionally, a TFI Local Link route has also been selected as the focus, and work is ongoing in the NTA on the procurement of electric buses to be deployed on the route.
