‘Completely inadequate’ capacity issues on the existing 65 bus route

A LOCAL politician is calling for the implementation of new bus routes to be brought forward to assist with capacity issues on the “completely inadequate” existing 65 bus route.

As previously reported in The Echo, commuters along the 65 bus route often face difficulty getting a seat on the bus due to capacity issues that have increased since a new centre for International Protection applicants opened along the route, in Crooksling.

Local People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy is calling for the BusConnects scheme along the 65 route to be rolled out sooner, and to run alongside the existing route rather than replace it.

“I have written to the NTA to request that they bring forward the implementation of the long delayed new BusConnects services for the area as soon as possible, alongside the current 65 route,” said Deputy Murphy.

“These new routes include the L44 from Ballymore Eustace and Blessington to Tallaght, the P43 and P44 express routes from Ballymore Eustace and Blessington to the city centre.

“And, most importantly, the high frequency A3 service, which will provide a direct link every 12-15 minutes during the week between Tallaght, Templeogue, Terenure, Rathmines and other areas en route to the city centre.”

The infrequency of the existing 65 route has been a point of frustration for people who use the service, according to Deputy Murphy.

“The 65 route has long been a source of huge frustration for all who depend on it,” he said.

“As well as people coming from Blessington or Ballymore Eustace, hundreds of people use it to travel from Tallaght to Templeogue, Terenure or Rathmines every day as it is currently the only direct bus route between these suburbs.

“The fact that an important bus service between such densely populated areas, packed with workplaces, schools and other important facilities, runs as seldom as once every two hours has been a disgrace for many years.

“The crying need for a frequent direct bus service between these areas was recognised six years ago with the inclusion of the proposed A3 route in the BusConnects Plan.

“The longstanding failure of the Government to provide adequate public transport services is now being compounded by their failure to increase public transport capacity in the context of the decision to locate people applying for asylum on the same completely inadequate bus route.

“The Government must now take this opportunity to radically improve public transport services for all, in the Tallaght area and beyond.

“In my correspondence with the NTA, I have requested that these new services be implemented alongside the existing 65 service rather than replacing it to cope with the increased demand along the route.

“Clearly, with an increase in demand for bus services, there is a need for increased bus services beyond what was originally planned under BusConnects.

“We cannot have a situation where the new routes, in particular the L44 route, which is to run hourly from Ballymore Eustace and Blessington to Tallaght only, are at capacity as soon as they start.”

A bus union source told The Echo this week that they understand the new bus routes will be implemented in the coming weeks, alongside the existing 65 bus route.

“This should ease the problems on the normal [65] service because there will be more buses, so the 65 won’t be impacted as much,” they said.

When contacted by The Echo last month about capacity issues on the 65 bus route, an NTA spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the problem.

“The NTA is aware of the challenges on the Route 65 bus service that serves Crooksling and we are working with the Department of Transport and Dublin Bus to try to resolve the issue,” they stated.