Bus Éireann will begin replacing its Galway city fleet in the coming months with new double-deckers which are more environmentally friendly.
The first of 100 electric hybrid buses arrived in Ireland this week and people can expect to see the new green and yellow buses on the roads early in the new year.
The buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% and they are fully accessible, with a wide front entrance doorway fitted with a twin-leaf door and a motorised wheelchair ramp.
They also have dedicated wheelchair space, a space reserved for use by a buggy and distinctive priority seating.
They are also the first buses brought in by the National Transport Authority to be outfitted with an induction loop system to assist the hard-of-hearing and a passenger information display within the wheelchair space.
“The NTA is committed to the transition to zero and low emission public transport vehicles, and with these new ADL buses, we are taking a significant step towards a more sustainable bus fleet,” said Anne Graham, said NTA Chief Executive Officer.
“These vehicles will also add some badly-needed extra capacity to our city fleets in Dublin and Galway.
“While public transport passenger numbers have fallen as a result of Covid 19 restrictions this year, we believe that they will return to something approaching pre-pandemic within the next 18 to 24 months.
“As passenger numbers pick up we will continue to invest in capacity across all our services. We’re also excited to see the new livery on these buses, and look forward to its roll-out across the fleet.”
