Dublin buzz: new double-deckers to get wifi (and other stuff)

Ninety new double-decker buses with dedicated spaces for buggies are to be added to the Dublin Bus fleet.

The buses have separate wheelchair spaces and feature a staircase CCTV monitor allowing passengers to see what space is available on the upper deck, along with signs announcing the next stop.

Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said the buses represented an investment of €34.7 million in the Dublin Bus fleet replacement programme. They began entering service in January and are operating on routes 13, 15, 27 and 40.

“They are going to have free and very high quality wifi in all of these buses,” he said.

“They are buses that are going to meet access needs of commuters, so there’ll be a dedicated space for families to put a buggy while also improving the ability to meet the needs of wheelchair users.”

The single buggy space is on the right-hand side of the bus while the wheelchair space remains on the left.

The SG model buses were manufactured by Volvo Bus Corporation, Sweden, and the Wrights Group, Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Mr Donohoe said Dublin Bus passenger numbers were up by 700,000 in the first half of 2015.

Bus travel

Route 13 goes between Harristown and Grange Castle while route 15 covers Clongriffin and Ballycullen Road.

Route 27 travels from Clare Hall towards Jobstown and route 40 goes from Finglas Village towards Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

Mr Donohoe said he believed bus travel was fast becoming a more attractive public transport option for many people.

He said the buses unveiled at Dublin Bus central control in Broadstone would replace older vehicles in the fleet and would result in a more efficient, reliable fleet with an average age of seven years.

The buses will have 12 colour cameras, eight with internal views and four with external views. The passenger information signs will be bilingual.

The buses are quieter than older vehicles and consume less fuel.