Bus Éireann to cut more services
Bus Éireann tonight announced the latest stage of its massive cost-cutting drive with the axing of one service and the curtailment of 18 others.
The semi-state company, which faces losses of almost €30m for last year, said the changes to frequency and routes would be in place by the end of the month.
Bosses have blamed falling demand for the move, with some of their vehicles carrying five passengers or less – not enough to cover a full tank of diesel.
People using the daily Galway-Athlone route will have to board alternative buses after the service is cancelled from March 28.
Other areas affected by timetabling and route changes include services in Cork city, Sligo and Tralee.
Bus Éireann, which has agreed voluntary redundancies for 250 staff, said the action was necessary to save more jobs and protect as many of its 330 nationwide routes as possible.
“It is with great regret that Bus Éireann has to take this action, but it is unavoidable and necessary given the deterioration in the economy over the last 18 months and the subsequent fall in customer numbers,” a spokesman added.
“The company is acutely aware of the difficulties these changes may cause for customers.”
Service operates 15 times a day in each direction. Service will be reduced to five times per day in each direction. Alternative service available on routes 3 (Farranree via Patrick Street to Ballyphehane) and 7 (Ballyvolane via St. Patrick Street to Donnybrook).
Route 5A is withdrawn with the exception of 7.25am ex. Merchants Quay and 7.40am ex. Mallow Road departures.
18 departures per day each way reduced to 15 departures per day each way.
Re-organisation of local network of services that will see routes altered and some reduction in frequency. Existing service is one day per week rural service based in Carrigallen operating to different locations each day.
Reduction from seven departures per day each way to six departures per day each way.
The 6.30pm Cork/Clonmel/Kilkenny/Carlow Friday only service will operate to Kilkenny only.
Service operates 26 departures per day (Monday to Saturday) in each direction. Change will see 24 departures in each direction per day. This route is also served by the Galway – Shannon – Limerick express service.
The 6.55am Patrickswell to Shannon service will also be withdrawn.
Operates every 15 minutes to City. The 4.10pm service from UL to Caherdavin during college terms will be withdrawn. Alternative services available on 308 and on 302 service from City Centre to Caherdavin.
7.25am Monday to Friday service from Ballybunion to Ballyheigue, and 4.45pm from Ballyheigue to Ballybunion elements of the service are withdrawn. Alternative services are available via Listowel.
8am Killarney to Tralee service on Saturday only is withdrawn. Alternative later services on a Saturday are available on Route 284 and inter-city Route 40.
Currently operates four services a day in each direction. Change will see a reduction of two services a day in each direction.
Service operates three times a day in each direction. Change involves a reduction to one service a day in each direction.
Service operates six times a day in each direction. Change involves a reduction to two services a day in each direction.
Low frequency services withdrawn from March 28, 010
Withdrawal of Galway-Athlone leg of this service which operates once a day in each direction. A number of alternative services are available along the main road such as high-frequency Route 20 Dublin-Athlone-Galway.
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