Councillor calls for Dublin Bus Nitelink Services to return as nightlife reopens 

Dublin City Councillor, Cllr Colm O’Rourke, says he is calling for Dublin Bus Nitelink services to return as soon as possible, in line with the return of the nighttime economy.

The National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus cancelled the service last December in response to public health measures to shut restaurants, bars and cafés by 8 pm.

The Nitelink service provides late night buses on weekend nights across the Greater Dublin area.

Dublin Bus confirmed on Friday, 21 January, that their Nitelink services will not be in operation until further notice.

Cllr O’Rourke has stated that the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus should not delay returning the service.

Cllr Colm O’Rourke said: “I appreciate that the announcement to lift nearly all COVID-19 restrictions was at short notice, making it challenging to organise staff rosters and buses for this weekend. However, the return of the Nitelink should not be delayed, and a date should be given for its return.

“Many people are waiting for the return of the service, and I hope this happens sooner rather than later. As nightlife reopens, people depend on this service to get home safe and sound. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough regular Dublin Bus services that are 24-hours to get the public home, including late night or early morning shift workers, frontline workers, students working weekends who can’t afford taxis home and anyone else who relies on the Nitelink.

“For many, the Nitelink service may be the only low-cost option to get home safely. My big worry is that it could put those at risk who rely on this cost-friendly service to get home safely at weekends, resulting in more people walking alone through dark streets. All should be done to avoid leaving people in a vulnerable position, and I think confirmation that the Nitelink service is resuming soon would be a step in the right direction.”