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The end of ghost buses? Dublin Bus real time system being replaced 'within three years'

The real time system has come in for criticism around no-show or so-called 'ghost buses' that don't show up
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

21.35 16 Aug 2024


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The end of ghost buses? Dublin...

The end of ghost buses? Dublin Bus real time system being replaced 'within three years'

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

21.35 16 Aug 2024


Share this article


The real time system for Dublin Bus is to be replaced in the next two to three years, its CEO has confirmed.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has awarded a contract to a vendor for the replacement of the system.

It has come in for criticism around no-show or so-called 'ghost buses' that don't show up.

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Dublin Bus carries more people every day than any other public or private transport provider in Ireland, with over 145 million passengers carried last year.

Dublin Bus CEO Billy Hann told Breakfast Business the issue of 'ghost buses' is down to older technology.

"As a user of Dublin Bus myself this is something that happens from time to time and frustrates me," he said.

"Unfortunately, the problem is mainly down to the age of the technology.

"The technology is over 15 years old [and] the antennas on the buses aren't as sensitive as they need to be.

"The good news is that the National Transport Authority, who actually own the buses, they've just awarded a contract to a vendor for the replacement of that system.

"That will be implemented over the next two to three years which will improve the reliability of the RTPI (Real-Time Passenger Information) system".

Mr Hann said real time system is "independently audited by the National Transport Authority" with an accuracy rate of around 96%.

The new fully-electric buses that will take to the streets in Dublin and on the Bus Éireann network. Image: Emma Tyrrell/Newstalk Electric buses on the streets in Dublin. Image: Emma Tyrrell/Newstalk

Mr Hann said Dublin Bus is also diversifying its fleet.

"We have 1,100 buses in our fleet - approximately 70% of them are diesel, 20% are [hybrids] and now we're starting to get into the electric vehicles," he said.

"We've approximately 10% of them within our fleet at the moment.

"Ultimately by 2035 the idea is to [have] zero tailpipe emissions with regards to our vehicles".

Mr Hann said problems last year, which prevented electric buses from being used due to a lack of EV chargers, have been resolved.

"This is a fairly new project for Dublin Bus and for the city of Dublin, there's complexities with it," he said.

"There was planning complexities at that particular time - we have all these chargers installed now, certainly at our Phibsboro and Summerhill depots.

"They're the first two depots to be electrified.

"They're in place now and we're running electric vehicles from those two depots at this moment in time".

Mr Hann added that contactless payments allowing people to pay by card or with their phone will also be operating "within the next two to three years" on Dublin Bus.

Listen back here:

Main image: A Dublin Bus and a real time display in Dublin city, 20-8-14. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

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Billy Hann Breakfast Business Dublin Bus EV Chargers Electrified Ghost Bus NTA National Transport Authority RTPI Real-time Information Real-time Passenger Information Real Time TFI

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