Dundalk to Dublin 100X bus cancellations to be raised in Dáil this week

Short notice cancellations of the 100X bus from Dundalk to Dublin will be debated in Leinster House this week after Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú secured a Topical Issue slot on the problem.

The matter was due to be debated last Thursday, but officials needed more time to get answers from organisations charges with running the service and the debate will now take place on Tuesday.

However, Deputy Ó Murchú used speaking time in the Dáil to highlight the problem to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and said that on May 15, there were five cancellations of the 100X service.

He said: "It is the bus that goes to the airport so it can be imagined how much of a disaster cancellations are for people trying to avoid bringing their car to Dublin and pay the parking fees in the airport. 

"Two such buses were cancelled this morning (May 16), the 6.30 a.m. service and the 8.30 a.m. service. People were told at very short notice; I think it went on the website after 7 a.m. Bus Éireann has eight low entry, LE, type buses on this route but they are more than 12 years old. 

"Some of them have more than one million kilometres on the clock and are breaking down. There are five buses in the garage at present. NTA public service obligation, PSO, buses are available but Bus Éireann is not able to use them. This is a real issue, especially at this time of year. I ask the Minister for Transport to engage so we can get a solution to the problem in the short and long term."

Minister Ryan said he would look at the 100X service "in detail". The minister said numbers on Bus Éireann PSO services went up by 27% last year and one of the first things that needs to be done is to ensure that drivers are properly paid.

He said: "My understanding is that a benchmark exercise on pay was undertaken, which resulted in improved terms for mechanics in January this year, to ensure that their remuneration is in line. The quota requirement for apprenticeships has also been increased. This is a problem we can overcome. 

"It is part of a wider issue in the economy. We will overcome those challenges in providing the new buses and the better bus corridors so that they really fly, as well as having the drivers and mechanics to operate them."