203 bus curtailed as rocks thrown

Bus Éireann has confirmed that it curtails its night service to a part of Cork City’s northside due to antisocial behaviour in the area.

While the company said the incidences where routes are curtailed due to anti- social behaviour are in decline, the confirmation follows claims the 203 bus avoids Farranree at night because it has been pelted with stones in the past. The route goes from Ballyphehane on Cork’s southside through the city centre and on to Blackpool and Farranree.

On Monday, a caller to 96FM’s Opinion Line outlined the issue: “It’s been going on for the last couple of years now, where after half past nine the bus from Merchants Quay won’t go through Farranree.”

She said the service change is “just common knowledge” in the area. The caller said people are throwing rocks at the bus “constantly” and that a lot of the passengers are “afraid” as a result.

A spokesman for Bus Éireann confirmed the changes to the 203 service.

“Route 203 is curtailed from 9.30pm at night due to some incidents of antisocial behaviour in the past, and the situation is monitored on an ongoing basis,” the spokesman said.