Free wifi for passengers on Bus Eireann’s main commuter and city routes is due to be rolled out by the end of the year.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar yesterday announced €1.1 million in funding to upgrade the bus company’s facilities, including wireless internet access.
Wifi will be available on the highly used commuter and city routes in the east coast and main cities such as Cork and Galway. The exact routes has yet to be decided by Bus Éireann.
Bus Éireann has been piloting free wireless internet on the Galway to Dublin service for a year and has recently introduced it on the Dublin to Derry route.
The wifi service has “proved popular” and has received a “good reaction” among customers on the pilot routes between Dublin and Galway and Dublin and Derry, Bus Eireann spokesman Andrew McLindon said.
It would increase the attractiveness of the bus as an alternative for those driving to work, he said.
Mr Varadkar said “the provision of new wifi services will allow Bus Eireann to remain competitive.” High speed wireless is already available on some private intercity bus companies.
The additional finance will also fund real time displays and up-to the minute service information at eight bus stations, including Busaras Dublin, Plunkett Station in Cork, Galway and Athlone stations. 25 bus shelters on commuter routes will be upgraded or replaced as part of the plan.
The addition of 10 double decker buses for Bus Éireann routes in Cork and Galway will bring extra capacity on these “high use city routes”, Mr Mclindon said.
“This is an important investment in Bus Éireann. I am pleased that in these difficult times for the economy, it’s possible to continue to invest strategically in the national bus company,” Mr Varadkar said.
Welcome funding enable to enhance current service to customers commuter and city routes increase attractiveness people car for work
