Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
158. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric buses which are not in use; to provide a breakdown of their locations around the country; the reasons they are lying idle; when they will be put to use; the estimated total cost of their purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31136/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision and upgrade of the public bus fleet.
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.
Pending a more detailed response, my Department has invested significantly in the electrification of the urban bus fleet. This funding has provided for the installation of charging infrastructure across a number of depots to date, including 196 charging guns in Dublin, 70 in Limerick and 18 in Athlone.
Departmental funding allocations have also facilitated the purchase of electric buses, with 193 battery-electric buses fully absorbed or in the process of being delivered into Dublin Bus's fleet, and a further 87 fully absorbed or in the process of being delivered into Bus Éireann's fleet nationwide. The rollout of these buses has allowed for the operation of fully electric bus services in Limerick and Athlone.
Further electrification across depots will be expedited by a forthcoming electric bus charging infrastructure framework, which the NTA expects to award in May and which will serve as the basis for future charging installations rather than relying on standalone procurement processes.
