Question:
76 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her policy in relation to the provision of wheelchair accessible buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29802/01]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
Under the national development plan, all buses purchased by both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann for use on urban services have been low floor and wheelchair accessible. In pursuing this policy Bus Átha Cliath expects to have over 300 low floor wheelchair accessible buses operating in Dublin city by the end of this year. This will represent almost 30% of the fleet and over the period of the national development plan, the company hopes to reach a low-floor target of 60% for its fleet. A total of 19 bus routes now have fully accessible services. These include services to the following areas: Ballymun, Ranelagh, Tallaght, Rathmines, Clondalkin, the airport, Heuston Station, Malahide, Portmarnock, the docklands, Marino, Crumlin and Walkinstown. I understand that two more routes will be fully converted to low floor bus operation by the end of this year and that further route conversions are planned.
With regard to Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford it is expected that Bus Éireann's services in those cities will be 100% wheelchair accessible by the end of this year. Also, following a successful trial involving the provision of commuter services on the Dublin-Ashbourne route using double deck low floor buses, Bus Éireann has placed an order for a further six such buses for delivery by end 2001. In addition, the company has currently on trial some 20 low floor wheelchair accessible buses on rural services. The results of these trials will be used as a basis for determining future purchases.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 59.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 52.
Derek McDowell
Question:79 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has reached a decision in relation to CIE's proposals to round up certain fares following the introduction of the euro; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29804/01]
The situation in relation to CIE fares is that direct conversion to euro can result in inconvenient fares that are impractical to operate. The Government's position on the euro changeover is that the public sector should favour the citizen where convenient euro amounts are judged necessary. In the circumstances CIE is being requested, where exact conversion is not desirable, to round down its fares on conversion into euro.