Irish minister sets the seal on major low-floor bus investment 30-01-01

Mary O’Rourke TD, the Irish Minister for Public Enterprise, was on hand recently at The point in Dublin to personally officiate at the handover of the final batch of new low-floor double deck buses from a total order of 185 this year placed by Dublin Bus - the state-owned Irish bus operator.

The buses - all Volvo B7L double deckers with Alexander ALX400 bodies - have been delivered over the last six months and represent the latest generation of low-floor buses, catering for the growing demand for easy-access, single step transport solutions in Ireland’s busy capital.

The deal, which is worth in excess of IR£15m, has been financed by a combination of public and EU funding. The Volvo B7L Double Deck chassis platform includes the low emission Volvo D7C 7.3 litre engine, delivering 215hp, coupled to a four-speed ZF automatic gearbox with Neutral Bus Stop (NBS). In addition each bus has an advanced electrical system with a new driver’s information centre for preliminary diagnostic fault finding.

The Volvo B7L chassis, with a 5.7m wheelbase, has been specified in combination with the Alexander ALX400 body to form the world’s most advanced low floor double-deck bus, boasting a host of innovative interior features. The Alexander body is being supplied in both one-door and two-door versions. It is 10.7 metres long and with its lightweight aluminium structure adds to the fuel efficiency of the overall vehicle. The lower saloon, which incorporates wheelchair positions, can carry 27 passengers seated while the upper saloon can seat a further 49.

The ALX400 vehicles for Dublin have a forward spiral staircase to the upper floor and with an overall height of 4.34 meters they can operate on routes with low bridges. The vehicles handed over today mark a unique milestone in the relationship between Alexander and Dublin Bus. They include the 950th bus to be built by Alexander (both in Belfast and Falkirk) for Dublin Bus since 1990. Commenting at the handover, Dr Alan Westwell, Dublin Bus’s Managing Director, said, “We are delighted that Mary O’Rourke could be with us today to set the seal on this major investment in latest ‘state of the art’ buses, as part of our overall transport plan.” He added, “Our choice of the Volvo/Alexander combination has been guided by many factors including product quality and innovation, operational reliability, efficiency, service back-up and, perhaps most importantly, passenger comfort.”