As 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 public bus fleets and bus depots.
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, I note that electric buses are currently in operation in the urban public transport fleets in Dublin, Limerick and Athlone. There have been delays to the delivery of electric charging infrastructure to bus depots around Dublin, which has in turn prevented the ability of operators to absorb electric buses into their fleet. However, I am pleased to announce that because of the recent progress made in installing electric charging guns in depots, these buses will exit storage in the coming months. Moreover, the NTA will shortly finalise a procurement framework with suppliers of bus charging infrastructure to expedite future installations across the country.
Significant efforts are underway by the NTA and transport operators to move electric buses into passenger service, and I look forward to the continued rollout of electric buses across Dublin and our other urban centres.
