Cullen announces 20 additional buses for Dublin Bus

Date: 04 January 2006

New buses with 20% extra capacity to run on key QBCs from January

Transport 21 to deliver 80,000 extra bus passenger journeys each day

As signalled at the launch of Transport 21, Transport Minister Martin Cullen T.D. today (28th December 2005) announced 20 additional buses for Dublin Bus which will benefit a number of key QBCs from early in January.

The new buses will be approximately 12 metres in length, which is similar to existing large single decks, but will be some 1.3 metres longer than the current double decks. The vehicles will provide seating for some 90 passengers together with additional standing capacity resulting in a capacity increase in excess of 20% compared with standard double deck buses.

Welcoming the early entry into service of the 20 buses, Minister Cullen said it signalled another early delivery on Transport 21. "We said in November we would deliver on additional buses this year and we have kept that promise. These buses will cater for key QBCs on routes like Clondalkin and Stillorgan and in addition carry more passengers than the existing type bus", he said.

On QBCs, the Minister said: "The introduction of QBCs have been a key factor in helping Dublin Bus provide a more effective service for commuters. Experience has shown that the greater the level of priority, the greater the growth in passenger numbers and Dublin Bus is carrying out a significant in-depth network review in the context of expanding the QBC network and the Dublin Bus fleet.

"The Stillorgan QBC demonstrates the best attributes of bus priority in Dublin, due largely to the continuous bus priority for the majority of the routes. At present bus journey times on the Stillorgan QBC are less than car journey times by 42%. Customer growth on the Stillorgan QBC has increased by 210% with significant growth on many more corridors such as Malahide (84%) and Lucan (36%). The proposed investment under Transport 21 to double the number of QBC's will be critical in achieving faster bus journey times, growth in bus passengers numbers and will be crucial for offering the car user a real alternative mode of public transport", he said.

Emphasising the importance of buses to Transport 21, Minister Cullen said: "The bus plays a crucial role in the capital's public transport system. It is not a question of bus or rail, but of using both modes to effectively complement each other to maximise the passenger carrying capacity and availability of public transport. Buses will, in particular, be used to meet the immediate and short-term requirement for additional public transport in Dublin whilst other infrastructure is being put in place.

"There will be a greater focus on the development of orbital, feeder and local services and integrating the city. The bus network will be fully integrated with and complement the rail network.

"We plan to increase total bus capacity over the period of Transport 21, with over 80,000 extra bus passenger journeys each day. The Quality Bus Network will be at least doubled over the period to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of the bus service."

Minister Cullen said he looked forward to receiving the Dublin Bus network review early in the New Year. He said: "We will continue to invest in buses for Dublin. In light of the planned investment and to examine the most effective means of expanding bus services in the short, medium and long-term, the network review is of critical importance. I am keen to see it completed as a priority for the start of 2006."

ENDS

Further info:

Dan Pender,

Press Advisor to the Minister 087 - 2313415

Or

Gráinne Mackin

Communications & Media Manager,

Dublin Bus 087 - 6216100