Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady has slammed the Government over the fact that 132 brand new, taxpayer-funded, double-deck electric buses are currently sitting idle due to the failure to deliver charging infrastructure.
Deputy Brady made the comments after correspondence from the National Transport Authority (NTA) outlined that there are currently 85 double-deck battery-electric buses in Dublin and 47 in Galway and Limerick that have completed the manufacturing process, but cannot enter the fleet due to lack of charging infrastructure.
Teachta Brady said:
“It is simply staggering that at a time when communities are crying out for improved and reliable public transport, this Government has allowed 132 brand new buses to sit idle.
“This isn’t a delay in production or delivery, this is a delay brought about by the Government’s complete failure to plan and to ensure that the necessary charging infrastructure is in place.
“This is shocking incompetence, and has become a recurring issue.
“In Dublin, 85 buses are waiting to be brought into the fleet.
“In Galway and Limerick, it’s 47.
“Buses that cost circa €500,000 each, left parked up for months, with no concrete timeline for when they will enter service.
“This will rightly enrage commuters at a time when they are dealing with overcrowded services, delays and cancellations.
“The public deserves answers.
“Who is accountable for this complete failure of planning? When will these buses finally be brought into service? And how can we stop this from happening again in the future?
“The Minister for Transport must come forward with a clear plan to ensure that every one of these buses is brought into operation without further delay.”
ENDS