Claims that full buses passing commuters

Senator Thomas Byrne has made contact with Bus Éireann and Minister for Public Transport Alan Kelly in relation to the number of full buses passing commuters by in the Dunshaughlin/Fairyhouse/Batterstown areas every morning. The bus services affected include the 109 and the 111. Senator Byrne said: "Many commuters have been in touch with me stating that full buses pass them by on many mornings. One particular commuter had to wait from 8.15 to 8.55am while both a single-decker and a double-decker bus passed by full at Fairyhouse Cross. I understand that dozens of commuters have been similarly affected over recent times." "It is completely unacceptable that South Meath workers are late for work when they have arrived in good time for a bus. "Commuters are even, in some cases, driving from Batterstown and surrounding areas after buses pass them by on that road, only to find the buses from Dunshaughlin similarly full at Fairyhouse Cross. "However, I am also receiving complaints from Kells where, almost incredibly, some of these buses on the 109 route are also full. One commuter reported to me arriving for the 6.45 am bus, and only arriving in Dublin at 9.20 due to full buses. "I have also received complaints from the Dunshaughlin area about inconsistency of bus times during off peak hours also which is affecting other travellers other than those going to work. "I think that this is completely unacceptable. I have made contact with Bus Éireann in relation to this and have asked them to lay on extra buses for their passengers who need to get to work. I have also written to the Labour Minister for Public Transport, Alan Kelly, whom I understand has arranged for extra bus and train services in his rural Tipperary base and have asked him to do the same for South Meath commuters," concluded Senator Byrne.