Commuters criticise BusConnects over no services of buses in estates

CRITICISM of BusConnects in Lucan by commuters has seen local representatives attempt to exert pressure on the National Transport Agency (NTA).

“Bus connects is a failure with no show buses, full buses, removal of bus services in housing estates where older people live some of whom have mobility problems,” said Mairead Hilliard, a Lucan resident.

TD Gino Kenny (PBP) and Cllr Madeleine Johansson (PBP) have welcomed a “review” of the C1 and C2 spines in Lucan following a meeting with the NTA.

They were informed that the NTA are currently waiting for a proposal from Dublin Bus regarding the C1 and C2 routes.

“It’s clear to me that we need more buses on these routes, particularly at peak times and in the early mornings. We have also asked the NTA to look at providing additional services on the P29 route in the morning time,” said Deputy Kenny.

“We also raised the need for an additional train in the morning from Adamstown to the city centre but we were informed that not enough funding had been allocated to provide this.”

Cllr Johansson said people contact them “all the time” because of problems with buses to the city centre “full to capacity” and some not showing up at all.

“The NTA said that they are aware of this but hoping that the situation will improve with increased recruitment of drivers,” said Johansson.

Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) says trying to effect change has been difficult because the NTA is “not accountable to anyone.”

“Successive governments have farmed out bus decisions to this unelected agency, and while the NTA gives occasional briefings to councillors or makes presentations at Oireachtas committees, there is no sense of anyone really being listened to,” said Gogarty, who is running a survey on his website after consulting several bus drivers working local routes.