Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2007
146 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposal that all public transport bus services providing services to major hospitals should be full accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6619/07]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the bus companies concerned. Significant progress has been made in recent years in the introduction of wheelchair accessible buses by both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann. Since 2000 all buses purchased for urban services are low floor, wheelchair accessible. I understand from Bus Átha Cliath that currently 58% of the fleet is accessible and that the company plans to have all of the fleet accessible by 2012. I also understand from Bus Átha Cliath that all of the Dublin major public hospitals are served by at least one route on which all of its vehicles are fully accessible. I also understand that Bus Éireann has already achieved almost 100% fleet conversion to fully accessible buses on its urban services in the major regional cites.
The policy of purchasing accessible buses will continue as the bus fleets are replaced and expanded over time.
