Cullen welcomes 100 new extra buses for Dublin Bus Fleet

Date: 30 January 2007

Transport Minister Martin Cullen T.D. today (Tuesday 30 January 2007) visited the Dublin Bus depot at Phibsborough, Dublin 7 to view new Government-funded buses, which are part of an allocation of 100 extra buses to be utilised this year by Dublin Bus. Dublin Bus is the largest public transport provider in the country currently serving 170 routes. The additional 100 buses, provided for in the Government’s plan for transport, Transport 21, cost €30 million and will enable Bus Átha Cliath to expand the number and frequency of services throughout its network.

The 100 new buses bring the Dublin Bus fleet to 1,182 buses, serving commuters based in Dublin City and the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Meath, Wicklow, Kildare). Minister Cullen said today: “Dublin Bus transported over 146 million passengers in 2006 and this increase to its fleet will result in up to eight million additional customers each year”.

In addition to the €30 million investment in new buses, Exchequer funding of €15 million will be provided this year to Dublin Bus to replace 100 existing buses - which are in the system but will be upgraded. The Dublin Bus fleet is one of the most modern in Europe; the average age of the fleet is under six years old while 60% of the Dublin Bus fleet is fully accessible.

The first of the 100 new buses entered service in December 2006, serving North Wicklow (84X); city centre to Bray (145); Tyrellstown to the city via the Finglas Road (40D) and Ellensborough in Tallaght to the city centre (54A).

Dublin Bus proposes to operate the remainder of the buses geographically across the bus network concentrating on routes serving new housing developments and for use on existing/new quality bus corridors (QBCs).

In addition to the areas mentioned above, Dublin Bus is planning to provide new buses in the following locations:

Baldoyle (North Fringe)
Swords to Rathmines
Ballymun
West and north Blanchardstown (Ongar)
Adamstown
South Clondalkin
Ballycullen, Scholarstown
QBCs to benefit from the introduction of the additional buses include the Tallaght, Merrion Road and the Bray/Stillorgan QBCs. A high priority project for 2007 includes enhancements to the Malahide and Swords Road QBCs.

Speaking this morning at the Phibsborough depot, where Minister Cullen also met with driver recruits, the Minister said: “Public transport is increasingly the choice for commuters into the capital. It is important that additional capacity is delivered into the public transport system so that commuters and those who opt for public transport and not for the car, have better choice and can get to their destination in a more time-efficient way. Transport 21 recognises the significant contribution that an expanded bus service has in meeting transport needs. This year, the Government is investing €777 million in public transport development around the country - an 58% increase on last year’s estimate.”

Speaking about traffic management, particularly in relation to use of QBCs, the Minister said: “I know that Dublin Bus, the Dublin Transportation Office and the Dublin local authorities are working on a comprehensive and prioritised programme of bus priority measures. It is vital that progress is made in implementing these measures”.

Dr John Lynch, Chairman of CIE said: “The role of the bus is critical in the Dublin area and we are delighted to receive these additional 100 buses under Transport 21 which will enable us to expand and improve services on existing routes and in developing areas”.

Issued by: Michelle Hoctor, 087 8563070
Veronica Scanlan, 087 6430622