Vol. 497 No. 2
94 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will make a condition of funding to Dublin Bus that the 150 new buses to be added to its fleet, announced in her statement of 11 November 1998, will be fully accessible to people in wheelchairs. [24573/98]
It is my policy that all transport providers should, as far as possible, make their services and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.
The additional 150 new double decker buses which have been ordered by Dublin Bus and are due for delivery during 1999 are, however, required urgently to meet the traffic congestion problems in Dublin as part of the Government's commitment to implementation of the DTO short-term action plan.
I understand from Dubln Bus that low floor double decker buses are not readily available. Models which may be suitable will shortly be in use in London. Representatives from Dublin Bus have met the manufacturers and are seeking to obtain a bus for trials in Dublin.
