Next-gen buses go online

Bus Éireann has begun introducing the first of its new fleet of wifi-enabled buses in Cork City.

The vehicles, which are being introduced as part of a €6m investment in public transport, will enable passengers to surf the web for free on board.

The first five of the 18 vehicles are entering service this week on city and intercity services. The remaining vehicles will be introduced over the coming weeks.

They include four double-deck and 11 single-deck buses for use on city services, which have been funded by the National Transport Authority.

There will also be three new Expressway coaches, which have been funded from Bus Éireann’s own resources, for use on intercity services.

All come with free wifi and extra-comfort seating. The new Expressway coaches are longer, increasing their capacity from 53 to 63, feature power sockets at selected seats and Isofix attachment points for compatible child seats.

“These 18 new vehicles for Cork will enhance customer comfort and increase our capacity at peak times,” said Bus Éireann’s regional manager for the south, Joe Fitzgerald.

A total of 88 new vehicles will be going onto Bus Éireann services across the country in the next few weeks. All are wifi-enabled, wheelchair-accessible, and meet the highest EU emission standards.

A total of 60 have been funded by the National Transport Authority at a capital cost of approximately €19m.

Bus Éireann has committed €12m towards the introduction of 28 coaches for use on commercial Expressway intercity services.

This investment in new fleet follows the recent introduction of real-time passenger information displays at selected city centre stops in Cork.

Following the current live trial, it is hoped to roll out the information displays to 47 of the busiest stops in the city.