Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware of the ongoing issues with the 103 Bus Éireann service in Meath, which was particularly bad in September and October last year, and the negative impact that was having on the travelling public. Unfortunately, these issues were exacerbated by ongoing challenges the public transport sector is facing in the recruitment of both mechanics and drivers. However, I am pleased to advise that due to extensive driver recruitment campaigns undertaken by Bus Éireann in recent months, this is now becoming less of an issue.

I understand that route 103 can be negatively impacted by traffic congestion at various locations along the route. This is an increasingly frequent operational challenge for Bus Éireann and other transport operators, which is leading to service delays. For example, there are ongoing roadworks in both Ashbourne and Ratoath, which are impacting punctuality and running times. While significant cancellations occurred last year, as I said, I have been advised by Bus Éireann that so far this year, 97% of scheduled services on route 103 have operated fully.

I am advised that the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann have initiated an action plan for this year to address the service issues in Meath, and both are monitoring and reviewing passenger numbers in the area to identify opportunities to increase capacity, where possible, in light of service delivery issues. I understand that on 28 April, route 103 underwent a timetable refresher to alleviate some of the issues on the service. I am further advised that all of the Bus Éireann routes on the M2 and M3 corridors are scheduled for punctuality reviews this summer.

I reassure the Deputy that the NTA and my Department will continue to monitor service delivery closely and that the NTA, in conjunction with our operators, is working to ensure the optimised deployment of resources to match changing passenger demand patterns.

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