Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sinn Féin TD John Brady has branded as farcical the fact that 110 taxpayer-funded, double-deck electric buses are currently sitting idle, some for as long as 890 days, 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 56 double-deck battery-electric buses in Dublin, and 54 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 absolutely farcical that at a time when communities are crying out for improved and reliable public transport, this Government has allowed 110 brand new buses to sit idle.
“Buses that cost circa €500,000 each, with no concrete timeline for when they will enter service.
“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.
“What’s even more incredible, is the length of time that some of these buses have been in storage.
“76 have been unused for over 500 days. 14 for over 860 days.
“For a bus to be received and lie idle for a day or two could be understood, but some of these buses have been idle for coming up to 900 days.
“This is shocking incompetence and has become a recurring issue.
“The length of time in storage also raises a number of additional questions – how much has the storage cost and how much will it continue to cost? Have the vehicles depreciated in value? Has the technology moved on in the last years, to make these buses now substandard?
“This is all very concerning, and represents an egregious failure to protect taxpayers’ money.
“The Minister and NTA’s explanation that it is impossible to forward plan for this defies absolutely any logic.
“It’s quite simple – if you’re going to buy an electric bus, make sure you have a charger for it.
“This will rightly enrage commuters at a time when they are dealing with overcrowded services, delays and cancellations.
“The public deserves answers.
“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