Calls for street protests as city bus services cut
City councillors are also due to invite senior Bus Éireann managers to explain their decision to axe the old number 12 service which linked the Glen to the city centre.
It follows widespread criticism of the cutbacks at this week’s council meeting.
Bus Éireann said the changes were in line with recommendations arising from a National Transport Authority (NTA) review last year of the city’s suburban bus services.
The most recent changes announced in August involved routes 202, 204, 207, 209 and 212.
Routes 204 and 209 were merged into one route giving full coverage to the areas previously served by both routes.
Route 202 serving Mahon, the city centre and Knocknaheeny was improved to a 15-minute frequency Monday to Friday — 58 departures per day.
But route 212 to the Glen was axed.
Bus Éireann said route 207 serving Donnybrook, the city centre, and Ballyvolane was extended to include Glenthorn in the Glen, previously served by the 212, giving passengers an improved service of 33 departures per day.
But Socialist Party Cllr Mick Barry said the axing of the 212 means there are now only three bus services connecting the Glen to the city centre on weekdays, and there is no direct bus connection between the Glen and Dublin Hill and Blackpool.
He organised a public meeting in the Glen last night to discuss the issue.
“People power saved the service in 2009 when similar cuts were attempted, and only people power has the potential to save it this time,” he said.
“Pensioners in the Glen who need to get down to Blackpool to collect their pensions now have no bus run.
“Schoolchildren who need to get over to St Aidan’s in Dublin Hill now have no direct bus run, and the number of buses directly servicing one of the largest local authority housing estates in the city have been cut in half.
“These cutbacks are a kick in the teeth to one of the largest communities in the northside of the city and need to be resisted and reversed,” Mr Barry said.
Sinn Féin Cllr Tom Gould criticised Bus Éireann management for axing services when the city council is on the verge of opening a new estate in the Glen.
“We’re building new houses up there and putting in services and they are cutting bus services. Are they cuckoo or what? They wouldn’t cut bus services to Bishopstown or Douglas,” he said.
But a Bus Éireann spokesperson said following customer representations a revised routing for the 209 is being examined which will provide three connections per day between the city centre, Audley Place, Glen Avenue and Blackpool Shopping Centre. “This is subject to approval from the NTA,” she said.
