Bus route change defended

DUBLIN Bus has
defended its decision to abolish the Number 19 route, which has led to some
Northside residents claiming they’ve been left isolated and abandoned.

The company insists that it provided adequate notice
and alternative transport options to those affected by the move but this has
done little to appease a campaign group calling for the bus route to be
reinstated.

The popular bus, which had been serving the area for
almost 50 years, was abolished last summer sparking a massive campaign from
many commuters in Finglas and Glasnevin.

Mary Devoy (86) of Griffith Road explained how she has
spent hundreds of euro travelling by taxi to the Warfarin Clinic in the Mater
Hospital since the route was abolished.

“The loss of the 19 was crippling for me personally,

?
she told Northside People.

“Now I have to walk at least 20 minutes to get to the
nearest shop which isn’t easy at my age.

“I was able to go anywhere with the 19 but now I feel
abandoned and isolated.

“I have to pay

?¬20 get a taxi to the Warfarin Clinic
now which is costing a fortune and the other day I paid

?¬5 to get a taxi to the
local shop.

“It’s an absolute disgrace. I’m living here 50 years
and I’ve always been able to use public transport until now.

?

Geraldine Gough of the Save the Number 19 campaign
said the loss of the bus has caused chaos for those who depended on it to get
to work, college, school and to and from the city centre and the southside.

“People have been left stranded,

? she stated.

“I know of parents whose work is being affected by
having to drop and collect their children from school.

“The elderly people are afraid of getting lost if they
take a bus that’s unfamiliar to them.

“We simply cannot understand why they abolished the
route which was always so popular.

?

She added:

“We have to get it back. We just can’t
conduct our lives or have any quality of life without it. It’s a terribly sad
situation when people have to get a taxi to go to church or to the hospital.

?

A spokesperson for Dublin Bus said the decision to
abolish the Number 19 was taken following a review of its services, a public
consultation process in relation to the changes to the buses serving Finglas
East, Glasnevin and Drumcondra and three public information roadshows.

“During this consultation period, Dublin Bus
encouraged and welcomed feedback from the public and all feedback was reviewed
and considered when designing the final proposal for services in the area,

? a
spokesperson stated.

“I can confirm that revisions were made to the
proposals following consultation and then sent to the NTA for their approval.

?

The spokesperson stated that the introduction of
service revisions was also advertised in local and national newspapers and a
door drop campaign was carried out.

“On August 28, 2011, Route 83 and Route 19 were
amalgamated and renamed Route 83,

? said the Dublin Bus spokesperson.

“The high frequency, cross city Route 83 operates from
Harristown via Finglas East (Jamestown Road, Sycamore Road and Ballygall Road),
Tolka Estate Road, Glasnevin Hill, Botanic Gardens, Phibsboro, Church Street
and the North/South Quays, O’Connell Bridge, D’Olier Street, College Green,
George’s Street, Aungier Street and Rathmines to Crumlin.

“Route 83 has a peak frequency of 10 minutes and an
off peak frequency of every 15 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minutes on
Saturday and every 20 minutes on Sunday.

?

The company also described how the former Number 19a
was renamed Route 9 and runs every 15 to 20 minutes through Beneavin Road,
Glasnevin Avenue, St Mobhi Road, Phibsboro to O’Connell Street and South
Circular Road.

“The routings of Route 83 and Route 9 provide the
Finglas/Glasnevin area with a comprehensive bus service with full cross city
options available,

? a Dublin Bus spokesperson stated.

“Following the successful implementation of the
revised Routes 9 and 83 and a post implementation review, Dublin Bus is working
on proposals for minor revisions to the current network.

?