Contractors filling gaps in Cork bus route schedule

PUBLIC transport bus routes that cannot be served by Bus Éireann on short notice in Cork are being covered by private contractors.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that private contract vehicles are being used to fill gaps in the bus schedule in Cork, and that they are working towards a permanent solution through actively recruiting.

Bus Éireann media and communications manager Colin Heeney told The Echo: “Private contract vehicles [are] being used to cover short notice non-availability and also to provide additional capacity to a scheduled service.

“For example, we provide an extra vehicle on the 6pm 245x 1 Cork to Dublin to provide additional capacity to customers.

“We are actively recruiting for drivers in the Cork City area. We have a recruitment day in Capwell Station on the December 2, but our current resources have the ability to operate full services.”

Deputy lord mayor of Cork Colette Finn told The Echo: “I think it is a good idea to have some flexibility because of sudden or short-term shortages.

“There is nothing worse than waiting for a bus that doesn’t show or is overcrowded”, she said.

“However it should not be used to mask a deficient service.”