Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:269 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the grant aid available from his Department to make privately owned commuter buses wheelchair accessible. [4285/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 11 February 2004
Ceisteanna (207)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the national development plan there is a provision of €13 million to part finance accessibility improvements to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities but this funding is not used to purchase buses. This funding is used in the main to improve access at bus and rail stations for people with mobility and sensory impairments. There is no provision within my Department's estimate for grant aid to make privately owned commuter buses wheelchair accessible.
My Department has had preliminary discussions with the organisations representing private bus operators with regard to developing a policy on the introduction of wheelchair accessible vehicles for their scheduled services.