John Curran
Ceist:1635. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of electric buses operating in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFriday, 6 September 2019
Ceisteanna (1635, 1636)
John Curran
Ceist:1636. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of low emission buses operating in Dublin; the number that will be operational by the end of 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36574/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1635 and 1636 together.
My strong commitment to transition our public transport fleet away from fossil fuels towards cleaner technologies was recently reaffirmed in the all-of-Government Climate Action Plan, which sets out an unambiguous target for the first one hundred low-emission buses to enter the urban bus fleet by the end of Q4 2020. This movement to low-emission alternatives for public transport will help to promote and normalise the use of alternative fuels and technologies, while contributing some limited mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Progress towards meeting this target is already underway and a clear trajectory towards low-emission vehicles has been firmly established. In the immediate future, Ireland has committed to no longer purchasing diesel-only buses for the urban public bus fleets. The National Transport Authority (NTA), with statutory responsibility for PSO public transport vehicle procurement, initiated a tender competition to award a “Framework Agreement for the Supply of Double-Deck Diesel-Electric Hybrid Buses” before the end of Q4 2019. In addition, funded under the Green Public Transport Fund, Dublin Bus have taken delivery of six electric-hybrid buses, with a further three expected to be delivered before by year end.
Longer-term, findings from the Low Emission Bus Trials alongside EU public fleet procurement requirements (Clean Vehicles Directive) and on-going market analysis and research, will collectively inform the NTA's bus procurement strategy for the coming years. I understand that by 2023, under the BusConnects Programme, approximately half of the public urban bus fleet in the Greater Dublin Area will be low-emitting with full conversion by 2030.
Noting its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A