Bus Eireann - New PSO Fleet for 2015/16 Launched

LXFlyer

http://www.dttas.ie/press-releases/2016/minister-donohoe-launches-bus-%C3%A9ireann%E2%80%99s-new-%E2%82%AC50m-fleet-future-%E2%80%93-over-100-new

Minister Donohoe launches Bus Éireann’s new €50m fleet of the future – over 100 new buses for services nationwide

Friday 15 January 2016


Combined passenger growth of 4% on regional city services



The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, today (Friday) officially launched Bus Éireann’s new €50 million ‘fleet of the future’. Funding for 116 new vehicles was provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport via the National Transport Authority (NTA).



Four of these new models were on show, including 82 seater double deck commuter coaches, and 78 seater double deck buses. The state-of-the-art vehicles feature extra legroom, power sockets [on commuter coaches], free WiFi, monitors with Real Time Passenger Information, are wheelchair accessible and have lower fuel emissions.



Some will soon enter service in Cork, Limerick and Galway while others recently went into operation on commuter services in the Great Dublin Area (GDA). *



The announcement of €50 million investment in 116 new vehicles comes on the back of newly released passenger journey numbers, which show that Bus Éireann services continued to grow in 2015. Passenger figures in the regional cities were up almost 4% in 2015 – which are operated in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.



Minister Donohoe said that the fleet funding, provided by his Department via the NTA, would help deliver a more modern, reliable and comfortable fleet by reducing the average age and maintenance costs of the total fleet: ‘As the economy continues to grow, there is a greater transport demand generally. Ensuring that public transport is an attractive option is central to encouraging people to leave the car at home. The upgrading of the Bus Éireann fleet in this way adds to this’.



“I am glad to see passenger numbers for the company are on the rise and I look forward to seeing continued improvements and enhancements to our PSO bus services through the funding that the Government is making available for fleet and network improvements. This investment will be used to address increased demand and to respond to the increase in congestion, as the economy continues to grow in the years ahead.”


Increased passenger journeys



Passenger trips made on all Bus Éireann city and stage carriage services – along with commercial and other services – was 37.8 million in 2015, up 700,0000 on 2014 figures.



Over 500,000 extra journeys were made on subsidised PSO (Public Service Obligation) services last year, while over 200, 000 extra trips were made on commercial and other services - reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting the recovering economy.



Passenger journeys in Cork city grew by over eight per cent, while commuter journeys to Dublin - on services in the East - were also up from 6.7 million, to 6.8 million. Given two full days services were lost due to industrial action in 2015, the figures are encouraging and point to economic recovery in the regions.



Bus Éireann chief executive Martin Nolan said that a second year of ongoing increase in passenger journeys on Bus Éireann services was a welcome development, and that NTA funding for investment in these new vehicles was both progressive and necessary: ‘Bus Éireann has extensive plans this special centenary celebration year, including this major new fleet investment and several network improvements, which will deliver further enhanced services for our customers’.



“We continue to work together with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to make our bus and coach services the most accessible and economical option for travel. Our 2015 passenger figures augur well for renewed economic growth in the regions, which like Dublin, must be supported with a public transport infrastructure which is modern and best in class. There is a return to congestion and with growing demand for our services in regional cities - further priority measures for public transport remain a key aim for 2016,” Nolan added.



Tim Gaston, Director of Public Transport Services, NTA, said: ‘The Authority is happy to allocate this funding for new fleet investment to encourage more people to choose public transport. These new vehicles, alongside the National Transport Authority’s recent developments, including Real Time Passenger Information, Leap Card, and online Journey Planning, all help to make public transport the mode of choice for more and more people.”



*While the majority of these new vehicles are entering service in the first and second quarters of 2016, 57 of the buses went into service in 2015 – most of which were registered in the latter half of the year.


Ends



Press Office, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, 01 604 1090 / 01 604 1093 pressoffice@dttas.ie (link sends e-mail)

Notes to editor
· The four new models include Single and Double Deck Commuter Coaches, and Single and Double Deck buses
· All have the latest Euro VI emissions certification which means they have the lowest emissions diesel engines possible
· The coaches are fitted with seatbelts and ISOFIX attachments for child safety seats
· Coaches feature lane departure warning systems for drivers
· Double deck commuter coaches also feature passenger tables in lower saloon
· On board monitor screens display passenger information including estimated time of arrival at next stop

Initial Publication Date:
15/01/2016

cgcsb

Dept of Transport still arsing around with rebranding and new buses, only weeks after completely ruining the DART underground project.

LXFlyer

cgcsb wrote: »

Dept of Transport still arsing around with rebranding and new buses, only weeks after completely ruining the DART underground project.

Irrespective of DU (and I share your frustration about it) - this is a good news story - it will allow for the expansion of N3 services and increased service levels in other areas of the country.

These vehicles will allow for much needed additional capacity on city and regional commuter services.

Carawaystick

I presume there's some PSO funding to staff these extra busses & services too...

Decent news all the same. I'll pick crows with the ministers statements on a more approrpriate thread...