Bus Éireann will meet representatives of the National Disability Authority today to discuss the procurement of wheelchair -accessible coaches.
A Bus Éireann spokeswoman said last night it was in talks with manufacturers Scania to determine if wheelchair accessible versions could be included in last autumn's order for 60 coaches. If this were possible, it would bring these into operation on a trial basis she said. The firm was also talking to other manufacturers.
Meanwhile chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport John Ellis will ask Bus Éireann to appear before it later this month to explain its decision to place an order for 60 non-wheelchair accessible intercity coaches.
In Leitrim yesterday Mr Ellis said the purchase had surprised him and he intended "to see if this contract can be renegotiated".
"I will be asking them in to explain themselves" he said, as he found the firm's comments that wheelchair accessible coaches were difficult to get was unrealistic as Scania had a wheelchair accessible bus on its website.
Bus Éireann said this week it would spend €16 million on the new fleet with the first buses coming into service in July. The contract was awarded to Scania but, following disapproval from disability groups, it tried to get wheelchair-accessible buses included in the contract.