NTA called to discuss Dublin Bus infrastructure problems

COUNCILLORS from the Tallaght Area Committee have called on the National Transport Authority (NTA) to correspond with them on infrastructure issues, following the reinstatement of bus services in West Tallaght.

Cllr Kieran Mahon said issues around bus terminuses and infrastructure that fall within the NTA’s remit need to be addressed “for people to have a better service”.

The chairperson of the area committee, Cllr Mick Duff, praised the resilience and understanding that community displayed in relation to the months-long curtailment of bus services.

As previously reported in The Echo, a series of anti-social behaviour incidents occurred on bus routes in West Tallaght last December, leading to the suspension of evening bus services in January.

The suspension of services continued until April 30 last, and in the intervening months work was undertaken by South Dublin County Council, local gardaí and the community to restore the service.

At Monday’s monthly meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee, Cllr Duff praised the understanding that the community showed during the lengthy period of bus curtailments.

“The community in West Tallaght put up with this in no small way,” he said.

“They didn’t condemn the drivers, they didn’t condemn the unions, and at no point did they withdraw their support for those entities because they felt it was out of their hands.

“They fully empathised with them on why they couldn’t bring buses into the area.”

Cllr Charlie O’Connor commended the coverage in The Echo about the issue, while Cllr Duff highlighted the important role that local gardaí played over the last few months.

“The gardaí, in no small way, played a huge role in this,” he said.

“Not only did they accompany the bus drivers, they went around the route, they got on the buses, they followed the buses, they parked up at roundabouts, people will argue, maybe to the detriment of service users across Tallaght.

“It was to reassure the community that the type of anti-social behaviour that brought about the suspension of service was not acceptable in our community.”

Cllr Duff’s motion praising the work of numerous stakeholders in the resumption of bus services, and Cllr Mahon’s amendment about corresponding with the NTA, was carried by councillors.