Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the 103 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22082/24]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Minister for an update on the 103 Bus Éireann service which services Ratoath and Ashbourne to and from Dublin, its performance standard and plans to improve it, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I received a similar response directly from Bus Éireann earlier this week. It stated that so far in 2024, over 97% of scheduled route 103 services have operated fully. Anybody who uses that service will hear that as an insult to their intelligence. I will give today as an example. Three services have been cancelled, namely, the 8.58 a.m., the 9.22 a.m. and the 10 a.m. services. It is now 11.05 a.m. That will likely continue for the rest of the day and that is the pattern. While I acknowledge that the service is not as bad as it was in autumn last year, it is nowhere near where it needs to be. In my opinion, that 97% figure is nowhere near correct. The question that has to be asked is how Bus Éireann has come up with those figures. We know it is adding additional services with coaches, for example, instead of double-decker buses. Does that count as operating fully? It leaves people at the side of the road and it is not good enough. It is causing huge frustration and needs to be addressed immediately.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I agree with the Deputy. It is not acceptable for passengers to be left waiting at the side of the road for the next bus. That is deeply frustrating, and it is not good enough. We have to make sure, through the NTA, that Bus Éireann is pushed so that the services improve. There are various ways we can do that. As I said, the first key issue is with mechanics and drivers. There has been significant action in that regard. Bus Éireann has recruited some 500 drivers since last year. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has issued 1,500 worker permits and licences so that we can have people coming from outside the EU to help us meet the key skills shortage, which is in mechanics. A service may be withdrawn if the bus is not properly maintained. Investing in mechanics is the second key measure.

The third measure we need to work on as part of the wider transport strategy is to promote road space allocation so buses do not get stuck in traffic. This is one of the reasons there is such difficulty with many of the timetables. This measure involves difficult political decisions where we have to reallocate road space, which we all know is not popular in the short term. In the long run, and even in the short- to medium-term, it is the only and best way to make the best use of the drivers and mechanics we have to ensure buses are not stuck in traffic. Through that combination of measures, I believe we can address the problem.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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Representatives of the service providers appeared before the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications last week. One of the asks they had of the Department, the Minister and his ministerial colleague was that a co-ordinated approach be taken to address the shortage of drivers and craft workers, involving SOLAS, the education and training boards, ETBs, and the National Apprenticeship Office.

That could be appropriately anchored in the Minister's Department. Perhaps it is something he can pursue.

I have a question specifically on the 103 route and the Townsend Street stop. There is confusion about whether that stop has now been dropped. Is it going to be dropped? Many people use it and need it. It seems that, from time to time or quite regularly, Bus Éireann skips that stop to make up time. It is fined by the NTA if it does that. It is a significant frustration for people who use that stop. There is uncertainty about that. Could I get clarification on it? If not today, can the Minister come back about it?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I do not have the details of that stop, so I will have to come back to the Deputy directly on that. I do not have information about the plans for that stop. On the wider issue the Deputy raised about enhancing the ability to get drivers and mechanics, I am open to all initiatives and suggestions. Bus Éireann has looked at a variety of different ways. We have looked at moving some of the maintenance services from Broadstone, which is the service depot for these routes, to other Bus Éireann depots that may have a service capability. Bus Éireann has engaged with external contractors to try to enhance and complement services. There is a significant recruitment and training process under way. There are four to six vacancies in the Broadstone Bus Éireann depot, but I understand they are due to be filled. We have also looked at a variety of ways of training drivers from B licences up to D licences to be able to enhance that role. We are doing everything we can on the training and deployment side of mechanics and drivers to address the issue. I am confident that Bus Éireann will overcome the difficulties it has had.