Cork politicians raise concern about length of time new reduced bus timetables will be in place

Concerns about the length of time the new reduced bus timetables on some Cork city routes will be in operation were raised following a meeting between Bus Éireann and local representatives.

Local and national management addressed politicians during a briefing session at the Metropole Hotel last night.

Last month, Bus Éireann released new timetables for the 202, 202a, 205, 208, and 220 routes which will see 872 fewer bus journeys each week across Cork city, which the company said will improve punctuality and service delivery. 

The changes will see buses that ran every 10 minutes now run every 15, ones that ran every 15 minutes now run every 20, and those that ran every 20 minutes now run every 30. The timetable will come into effect from Sunday, October 20.

Speaking to The Echo following the meeting, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said while the changes to the bus routes have been described as temporary, Bus Éireann management could not give a definitive end date for the cuts in service.

Bus Éireann also said that the changes in these routes would result in less fines by the National Transport Authority (NTA) for not delivering on the timetable, which Mr Barry said is concerning as it could result in more people being stranded at the stops with full buses flying by.

Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan raised concerns that the company could not clarify how long the cuts in services would last and said the driver situation is “just as worrying”, questioning if Bus Éireann will get the drivers that they need to provide the full service on each of the bus routes.

Mr O’Sullivan also raised concerns about the inaccuracies in live updates at bus shelters to which he was told an answer would be sought.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould also highlighted the ongoing driver shortage, adding: “I think it’s going to take much longer for the services to be returned than three or four months”.

Labour Party councillor John Maher highlighted the need for more communication with public representatives and called for an update from Bus Éireann two weeks after the new reduced services are introduced on October 20.