[PR] Low-Floor Bus Route - 20B

Victor

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=7089&lang=ENG&loc=1850

A further Dublin Bus Route is fully converted to Low-Floor Bus Operation
17 November 2005
A further Dublin Bus Route is fully converted to Low-Floor Bus Operation

Callely launches new accessible bus services on No. 20B Route

Speaking today (Thursday, 17th November 2005) at the launch of new accessible bus services on the No. 20B Dublin Bus Route, Minister Callely said that "All new buses purchased for the services of Dublin Bus since the year 2000 have been low-floor wheelchair accessible and this policy is continuing. Indeed, from a situation in 1999 when Dublin Bus had very few low-floor buses, the position has now been reached where over 50% of the current Dublin Bus fleet is composed of low-floor wheelchair accessible buses."

The Minister went on to say:"the low-floor buses now coming on-stream are being introduced into service on a route by route basis to provide consistency of service for people with mobility and sensory impairments. At this stage, Dublin Bus has fully converted over 50 routes to low-floor bus operation. As of today the No. 20B Route will be amongst those served by low-floor buses and this will provide accessible public transport for Dublin Bus's customers in the Beaumont, Donnycarney, Fairview and City Centre areas. The decision to convert this route was taken by Dublin Bus following consultation with members of the local community and is further evidence of the companys commitment to providing public transport for all passengers."

ENDS

_Kaiser_

The 20B has been low floor for ages in my observation. Was the move to low-floor in 2000 really a conscious one, or a result of the fact that they simply stopped making the older style Olympian's they were buying until then? Quick look on Volvo's website shows nothing but low floor buses.

Victor

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Was the move to low-floor in 2000 really a conscious one

It was systematic through the bus industry, now if only the coach industry would follow.

_Kaiser_

I saw a rather innovative Wright bodied one a while ago where the cab area was more like a city bus for accessability, with the main body being the standard layout. Good compromise I thought

John R

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I saw a rather innovative Wright bodied one a while ago where the cab area was more like a city bus for accessability, with the main body being the standard layout. Good compromise I thought

http://www.freewebs.com/busireland/volvotester.htm

That's it. Despite the colur scheme it's not owned or run by Dublin Bus.

They have been demonstrating that bus with all the main coach operators in the UK for nearly two years now. Only one order of 4 buses has been made so far.

In general the opinion is that they are not a suitable replacement for luxury coaches for most operations. The only way that they will be adopted in bulk is if the operators are forced by law to take them.


There are few if any step-entrance city buses being made these days, except for minibuses. Dublin Bus have the last batch of non low-floor double deckers made by Volvo.
2000 was the earliest Dublin Bus could get any low-floor buses supplied to them, they were manufactured before that but the big UK operators got priority due to ther size and the regulatory demands particularly in London.