Fitted with 60 seats, the high-spec VDL coaches were built in The Netherlands and offer reclining premium leather seats with adjustable headrests, charging plugs, tray tables and air con at every seat, and 4G Wi-Fi. All of the coaches are also wheelchair accessible and have on-board toilets.
The new VDL Coaches are going to Limerick (4) Galway (6) Donegal (5) and Sligo (2). They are part of a bigger order delivered to Bus Eireann. “Passengers in Donegal, Sligo, Galway & Limerick can look forward to travelling in greater comfort on Expressway routes from Donegal to Sligo, Galway Derry & Limerick,” said Brian Connolly, Regional Manager West, Bus Éireann. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to the service, improving the customer experience and reducing our carbon footprint. The newer diesel engines emit 90% less nitrous oxides than the vehicles we will retire out of the fleet, and 70% less hydrocarbons.”
Bus Éireann has also invested more than €2.5m million in a new online booking system, My Expressway, which provides both guaranteed advance seat reservations and contactless payments on board. All public transport is currently operating at 50% capacity.
Pictured (above): Erin McGinty of Donegal’s @coolestplaceontheplanet with Bus Éireann supervisor Conal Curran launching the new Expressway fleet entering service in Donegal.