Cllrs raise issue of cancelled services, 'ghost buses', overcrowding and inadequate capacity on 103 bus route with NTA and Bus Eireann chiefs

Major problems with commuter bus services from Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin to Dublin were raised by councillors at a meeting with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann last week.

Delays as well as buses failing to turn up on the 103 Ratoath-Ashbourne-Dublin route in particular were highlighted at the sometimes heated meeting, along with the reduction in frequency of buses from Dunshaughlin. The NTA told councillors the situation would be reviewed before the end of the year.

Cllr Helen Meyer said commuters continue to experience cancelled services, “ghost buses”, overcrowding, buses arriving full, inadequate capacity and an overall service that many simply cannot depend upon.

“The situation has become so frustrating that one commuter has created haveyouseenthe103.ie to independently record problems with the service. The statistics being collected paint an extremely concerning picture of the daily reality facing passengers.

“There also appears to be very little accountability when a public transport service consistently fails to meet the needs of the communities that depend upon it.”

She said she was extremely disappointed the NTA did not intend to provide written responses to the questions she and other councillors has submitted in advance of the meeting.

“I believe it is critical that councillors receive written responses to the written questions we submitted. I spent considerable time collating the issues being raised by residents and commuters and preparing detailed questions for the NTA. Despite the level of detail involved, I received verbal responses to my questions in less than five minutes.

“The main takeaway I received was an acknowledgement that the 103 service has serious failings and an assurance that the NTA will work to address these through better buses and a more reliable service.

“Unfortunately, we have heard similar assurances for years. The issues raised by councillors are significant and require thoughtful, clear and concise responses. While the discussion at the meeting was useful, it is simply not possible to adequately address the level of detail contained in the submitted questions through brief verbal responses alone.

“I have therefore followed up with Meath County Council and asked that the NTA be requested to provide written responses to the questions submitted.

“Written responses would provide clarity on the NTA's position and, importantly, create a clear record of any commitments made, the actions proposed and the timelines for delivering improvements.

“Residents and commuters deserve more than another assurance that things will improve. They deserve to know what is going to change, when it is going to change and how the NTA will be held accountable for delivering those improvements.

Cllr Nick Killian said while the meeting was informative, he didn't think it would result in an improvement of the 103 service from Ratoath to Dublin.

“The buses on the 103 route are unreliable, they are 11 to 12 year old buses. The NTA admitted that they have to bring in private contractors whose buses aren't accessible.

“The government isn't providing the NTA with funding for new buses. They are depending on an ageing fleet.

Cllr Killian said Ratoath needed its own bus service direct to Dublin. “The 103 has to go through Ashbourne. There are delays going through Ashbourne and it takes longer to get there. Not a days goes by that I don't get a complaint about the bus service.

“They said there would be public consultation but we need better services, today, tomorrow and next week, not next year.”

Cllr Fionnan Blake said the 109 from Dunshaughlin to Dublin was a disaster. “The buses are late and they have cut out the 7.30am bus leaving it very hard for people to get work or college in time.”

“There used to be a bus at 7am, 7.30am and 8am, but there is no longer a bus at 7.30am. When the 7am bus arrives, it is usually full and people have to wait for the 8am bus, which often doesn't arrive until 8.15 or 8.20am and gets into the city too late - and the 8am bus is also very often full.”

Cllr Blake said he has two children in college and he has had to drive them to Dublin on a number of occasions because of overcrowded or late buses.

“We need the 7.30am restored and direct services from both Dunshaughlin and Ratoath. The Ratoath buses have to go through Ashbourne and the Dunshaughlin buses through Blanchardstown.”

Cllr Gerry O'Connor said that there should be a service to Dublin that start and finishes in Dunshaughlin. “By the time the buses get to Dunshaughlin, they are usually full and now we are only getting a bus every hour when you used to also get it on the half hour. This is causing huge problems for commuters from Dunshaughlin,” he said.

The NTA and Bus Eireann have been approached for comment.