TD: Reduced bus timetable on Cork routes is step to privatisation

Bus Éireann cannot provide a date when Cork city bus service reductions set to be implemented on October 20 will be reversed, or confirm if less funding will be provided as a result of these changes.

The changes will see 872 fewer bus journeys each week across the 202, 202a, 205, 208 and 220 as service frequency drops in measures the company say will “improve reliability and punctuality”.

Communication sent to Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould by Bus Éireann explains, “frequency will return to current level on the five impacted routes as driver headcount meets the required level.

“This will be done on a phased basis i.e. routes will change on an individual or more than single basis. All five routes will not return at the same time. This element of the plan has been agreed with the NTA.” 

As the changes will result in a huge reduction in kilometres travelled, the funding given to the bus service by the National Transport Authority could be affected.

The company told The Echo, “Cork City services are operated by Bus Éireann under direct award contract to the NTA. This contract sets out the annual funding amount between the NTA and Bus Éireann and contains a range of funding value.

“The final funding amount varies owing to a number of variables including: service delivery kilometres, agreed variations, deductions and financial incentives for performance.

“These variables are set out under the terms of the contract and are calculated on an annual basis. Any impact from these changes to operation on the five Cork City services that are to see temporary timetables will be known at year end when the annual funding amount is calculated.”

Mr Gould said: “It is absolutely shocking that Bus Éireann have announced these slashes to hundreds of scheduled services with no idea if it will impact their funding and no concrete plan for the return of services.

“How can an organisation forward plan, and indeed plan for expansion without know what their funding will be? We could now see a situation whereby Bus Éireann will have their funding cut and will not be able to deliver a proper bus service next year either.” 

He added, “We know that Bus Éireann already pays out huge money in fines for being late or not showing up to bus stops.

“Why is a public bus company paying a public transport company fines that are collected from public money?

“Punishing Bus Éireann is not the solution. Starving public transport of funding will not resolve the crisis – it is time to invest in Bus Éireann, invest in the drivers and invest in our city’s transport system.” He added, “I think Bus Éireann need to lay out clear timelines for the return of services. That must include how many drivers are needed for each service to return to full capacity on a phased basis and how they intend to recruit these drivers.

“The reality is that this reduced timetable, and reduced funding, will push Cork’s bus routes towards privatisation. I will strongly resist any attempts to privatise Cork’s bus service.” “If they can’t deliver a bus service now, how in the name of God will they ever deliver BusConnects? There’s millions being spent on it but the current crisis calls into question whether it is actually deliverable.”