To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether Translink has assessed whether existing rolling stock can be converted to non-fossil fuel power sources.

I have an ambitious vision for a low carbon future where we make low emission public transport available to people and communities across Northern Ireland. This is essential if we are to deliver on our Programme for Government ambition, connecting people and communities to opportunities whilst playing our part in tackling the climate emergency which is the single greatest global challenge that we face. Realising that ambition is likely to require significant resources and the pace at which I can deliver this change will be determined by the budget made available to my Department.

In respect of converting the existing public transport bus fleet to non-fossil fuel power sources it is possible but would be extremely challenging as all vehicles would be required to be recertified. Given the relatively short asset life of a bus, it is more effective to replace existing vehicles with new fuel cell or battery electric vehicles.

On rail, there is the potential of using hybrid technology conversions on the existing fleet however, like the bus fleet, the most effective way of delivering zero emission rail operations is to employ either fuel cell or battery electric propulsion on new replacement rolling stock as the fleet comes to the end of its useful life. I am committed to exploring options to deliver secure, safe, cleaner, sustainable public transport.