16 WELB busesover 10 years

Though the vast majority of buses currently in use in WELB are less than three years old (46 buses), three are over ten years old.

Furthermore, thirteen buses that are on standby to provide cover during maintenance or safety checks are also over 10 years old.

Of the buses that are currently in use in WELB 46 are aged 0-3; 111 are aged 4-6; 71 are aged 7-10; and three are aged over 10; a total of 231.

Of the buses on standby two are aged 0-3; three are aged 4-6; 11 are aged 7-10; and 13 are over 10; a total of 29.

Education Minister John O’Dowd stated: “I am advised by the Education and Library Boards that their combined fleet is comprised of 850 buses of which 739 are in daily use on scheduled school transport routes, and 97 are used regularly to provide cover for vehicles undergoing maintenance or safety checks, repairs, PSV testing, etc. Of the remaining 14 vehicles, 6 are used to provide spare parts and 8 are awaiting sale.”