The almost €7 million spent storing electric buses that could not enter service due to a lack of charging infrastructure has been described as a matter requiring “full transparency and accountability” by the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.
Sinn Féin TD John Brady, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), highlighted the expenditure in a statement this week, saying taxpayers had spent €6.96 million over the past four years storing and servicing buses that could not be used because the necessary infrastructure was not in place.
According to Brady, 98 buses remain in storage and are costing almost €20,000 per week, while at least a further €520,000 in storage costs is expected before all vehicles enter service.
Brady said the expenditure raised significant questions about planning and oversight surrounding the rollout of electric buses.
“At the heart of this waste of public money is a simple but staggering fact,” he said.
“Buses were purchased without ensuring that the charging infrastructure required to operate them was in place. The most basic requirement for an electric bus is somewhere to charge it, yet taxpayers are now footing a multi-million euro bill because that fundamental issue was not addressed.”
The Wicklow TD said the National Transport Authority entered into an arrangement with the bus manufacturer to retain, store and service the vehicles until charging facilities became available.
“Due to the failure to have the necessary infrastructure ready, the NTA entered into an agreement with the bus manufacturer to retain the vehicles and provide storage and servicing at a cost of £175 sterling, or approximately €202, per bus per week,” Brady said.
“This is money that should have been invested in improving public transport services, not spent warehousing buses that cannot be used.”
Brady also highlighted the number of vehicles that have remained out of service for extended periods.
“Particularly concerning is the fact that 26 buses, worth approximately €13 million, have been sitting idle for more than 122 weeks,” he said.
“The storage costs for those vehicles alone have exceeded €640,000.”
He said the costs are expected to continue rising in the coming months.
“The situation is set to get worse,” Brady said.
“Forty-two of the buses currently in storage are intended for Galway but are not expected to become operational until between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the end of March 2027. That means at least another 40 weeks of storage costs amounting to more than €339,000.”
“The remaining buses destined for Dublin are expected to enter service within the next three months, adding a further €180,000 in storage costs. In total, taxpayers face at least another €520,000 in avoidable expenditure on top of the €7 million already wasted.”
The PAC chair said there should be accountability for decisions surrounding the purchase of the buses before the associated infrastructure was completed.
“Serious questions must now be answered by both the NTA and the Department of Transport,” he said.
“Who signed off on purchasing these buses before the infrastructure was ready? What warnings were given and ignored? And what steps are being taken to ensure taxpayers are never again left paying millions for failures that were entirely foreseeable and entirely avoidable?”
Brady also called for greater transparency regarding the decisions that led to the expenditure.
“As Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I believe there must be full transparency and accountability for decisions that have resulted in such a significant and ongoing waste of public funds,” he said.
“The public deserves answers, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
The National Transport Authority has overseen the introduction of electric buses as part of wider efforts to expand lower-emission public transport services. The programme requires charging infrastructure and depot upgrades before vehicles can be fully integrated into regular operations.