Bus Éireann Begins Roll-Out of 88 Wi-Fi Enabled New Vehicles
Bus Éireann Begins Roll-Out of 88 Wi-Fi Enabled New Vehicles in €30m Investment.
Bus Éireann customers will be able to power electronic devices, surf the Web for free and even secure a child’s safety seat on-board many of the 88 new vehicles that have started to go into service around the country this week in a €30m investment in public transport.
Twenty-three commuter coaches have started into operation in the Greater Dublin Area this week. All the coaches are equipped with free Wi-Fi and selected seats have power sockets and ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats making it easier for families to travel.
In addition, five new city single and double-deck buses have gone into service in Cork and seven new city buses in Galway this week. All have free Wi-Fi and extra comfort seating. The new city and commuter vehicles have been funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Further city, commuter and inter-city vehicles will go into service across the country in the coming weeks.
These will include eight double-deck coaches for use on inter-city services. They will be the company’s largest ever vehicles and will feature 20% more legroom than a standard coach, have two tables downstairs, and be able to carry 82 passengers.
60 of the new vehicles have been funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) at a capital cost of approximately €19m. These include 10 double-deck buses, 25 single-deck city buses, and 25 single-deck coaches. They will be for use on publicly subvented services only.
28 coaches for use on Bus Éireann’s commercial Expressway inter-city services are being funded through the company’s own resources at an approximate cost of €11m. The 20 single-deck inter-city coaches are longer than current inter-city vehicles, which means they will be able to accommodate 63 passengers up from the current 52.
All the new vehicles are Wi-Fi enabled, wheelchair accessible, and meet the highest EU emission standards.
All the vehicles feature new comfort seats with the seat covers produced by Irish company Botany Weaving. Wrights of Northern Ireland were also involved in the production process providing “bodies” for some of the vehicles.
“These new vehicles will enhance customer comfort and increase our capacity at peak-times. With free Wi-Fi, power sockets and extra comfort seating, they are sure to be a hit with customers and attract new users,” said Andrew McLindon, PR Manager, Bus Éireann.
The Bus Éireann fleet replacement programme is in line with recommendations in the Deloitte report commissioned by the Department of Transport and best industry practice. The programme will reduce operational costs, improve efficiencies, enhance accessibility, and benefit the environment.
Wednesday, 21st March, 2012