budget 2024

Transport: Lack of bus drivers could affect €2 billion green travel strategy

Department says funding will be used to continue decarbonisation of public transport fleet with more than 170 electric buses set to come on stream

Eamon Ryan: ‘You could say just throw money at it, just double the budget or whatever, but if you can't get the drivers then you're not using money wisely and well’. Picture: Norma Burke

Ongoing issues with recruiting bus drivers and train operators are a “big challenge” that could impact the timely roll-out of the government’s array of transport projects, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport, has said.

The Department of Transport has outlined how Budget 2024 funding will be used to continue the state’s decarbonisation of its public transport fleet.

Next year, 70 new electric buses will be acquired for the Dublin network and a further 101 new electric ...