Vol. 522 No. 3
84 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the resources provided to Dublin Bus over the past two years for the purchase of additional vehicles; the numbers purchased in each year; if there were replacements or additions to the fleet; and if details of additions to the fleet planned for this year and the next few years can be given. [18711/00]
Direct funding from the Exchequer and the EU in 1999 provided for the acquisition by Dublin Bus of 150 additional double decker buses. Funding was also provided for the purchase of 20 midi buses. The total investment amounted to approximately £28 million.
Dublin Bus also purchased 45 double decker buses for replacement purposes during 1999.
The national development plan published last October provides for a £220 million investment programme to develop the bus system in the greater Dublin area. The investment includes expenditure of approximately £180 million by Dublin Bus.
This year, Dublin Bus has ordered 225 low floor buses comprising 185 double deck, 20 single deck midi buses and 20 articulated buses for delivery between August and December 2000. Of these buses 125 are additional and 100 are replacements.
