Bus Éireann address criticisms over Dublin-Donegal route from councillors

A number of criticisms involving issues over the Bus Éireann Expressway service to Donegal Town from Dublin were discussed and addressed at a special ‘workshop’ meeting between all six members of the Donegal Municipal District and senior members of Bus Eireann recently. 

Traffic congestion at the Diamond in Donegal Town was discussed as well as an incident where passengers were stranded at Dublin Airport, having landed at the airport from a number of international destinations, during the summer.

On another occasion, students who attended a music concert in the Capital, also found themselves stranded, DonegalLive/Donegal Democrat was also reported during 2022, along with a number of other 'no-shows' by the state-owned bus and coach operator. 

A number of senior representatives from Bus Eireann were present at the meeting including Andrew Yates, Head of Expressway, Bus Eireann, Kieran McShea, NW Services Manager, Bus Eireann, Darragh Twoney, Expressway Performance Manager and Siobhan McAndrew, People Operations Manager, North-West.

In terms of capacity, Mr Yates, Head of Expressway, said that a relief coach was added to four daily Route 32 trips in July and August as well as providing additional services for the Rory Gallagher Festival and the Sea Session Festival in Bundoran. 

He said that Reliability on Expressway services in Donegal has increased steadily each quarter to 99.8% in the second quarter of this year.

But he expressed his remorse at an incident that occurred in July at Dublin airport where passengers arriving off flights with prebooked tickets had no Donegal bus service. 

Over 90% of services leave within 10 minutes of scheduled departure time and it was noted that the Sligo roadworks, Donegal Town traffic congestion and Ballybofey roadworks can lead to additional delays, he explained. 

The Bus Eireann representatives emphasised the streamline online booking facilities and the value for money to be obtained by pre booking tickets and young adults and students utilising the Leap Card facility.

A number of comments and queries were dealt with at the workshop.

Councillors expressed their dismay in relation to the Dublin Airport incident and suggested a private operator should have been utilised when no Expressway bus was available. 

In response to staffing queries, the Bus Eireann representatives said that since Covid, recruitment has become challenging, and a number of measures have been put in place to attract suitable drivers as well as a Customer Service Agent was recruited for the Summer Season to provide an information service at Dublin airport. 

In terms of actions, Bus Eireann agreed to share customer feedback in relation to wayfinding, facilities and services and to follow up with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to Leap Card agents within Donegal. 

Bus Eireann also agreed to monitor the number of fleet deployed with toilet facilities for the Route 30 / X30.

Traffic Congestion in Donegal Town and Bus Parking on the Diamond

At the same meeting, Mark Sweeney, the acting area manager for Roads and Transportation  for the Donegal MD of Donegal County Council provided an analysis of the number of users and their specific timeframes for utilising the bus parking facilities outside the Abbey Hotel in Donegal. 

It was noted that delays due to traffic congestion / roadworks on the approaching journey to this specific stop can cause several transport users utilising the bus stop simultaneously. 

In order to reduce the traffic congestion in this area and provide more appropriate facilities such as wheelchair accessibility, covered waiting room and toilet facilities, Mr Sweeney advised.

He stated that discussions have commenced with a local landowner who is developing a site some 400 metres from the existing bus stop. 

In order to seek NTA approval with this Transport Hub proposal, Mr Sweeney and Mr Garry Martin, the Director designate of the Donegal MD sought Bus Eireann’s approval in principle for the suggested relocation of the bus stop. 

In reply to the Head of Expressway, Mr Yates welcomed the discussion and noted that Bus Eireann would not be in a position to fund the proposal but suggested that perhaps a leasing agreement or a private business model could be appropriate. 

In order to consider the proposal further it was agreed Mr Sweeney would forward the User Analysis Worksheet along with a copy of the presentation to Bus Eireann. 

Bus Eireann agreed to carry out a number of reviews and committed to respond by the first week in October. 

Bus Eireann agreed to circulate details of an appropriate NTA contact to discuss possible Bus Hub funding options as well as updating the Council on service changes once NTA licences for Expressway services have been approved. Bus Eireann also agreed to update the Council on a new accessible bus stop.

A follow meeting was further agreed for six months time and contact would also be made with.