CONCERNS have been expressed for bus services along the Neilstown Road following a recent spate of anti-social behaviour on the No 40 route.
Sinn Fein Cllr Mark Ward said bus services had been curtailed five times in a recent two-week period after incidents occurring along the route.
Cllr Ward said he ahd had contacted gardai looking for additional resources. He has also asked parents to have conversations with their children on the impact of some of their actions.
“I am extremely concerned about the rise in anti-social behaviour on the Neilstown Road that has led Dublin Bus to curtail its services on some nights,” he said. “This behaviour includes throwing stones and setting off fireworks at buses. This could have serious consequences leading to someone getting seriously hurt.
“I have had residents onto me who have been left waiting on buses or have been asked to leave the bus well before their desired stop. This is really affecting people of my community in North Clondalkin.”
Cllr Ward added: “We have had incidents in the past but it had quietened down. Now over two weeks there have been five incidents.
“Dublin Bus informed me that these mainly occurred on the Neilstown Road between the hours of 8pm and 10pm. Residents have also told me that it is young people who are causing the trouble.
“I am asking parents to have a conversation with their children about the dangers of these actions.
“At the end of the day the people who are affected by their actions are their own family, friends and neighbours. The vast majority of young people in North Clondalkin would have nothing to do with this sort of behaviour but unfortunately it is a few who are letting the rest of them down.”
In a response to Cllr Ward, Dublin Bus said that the overall level of anti-social behaviour incidents involving them was down 18 per cent in 2018.
“We have a strong and close working relationship with the gardai and we have set up a number of community forums in different areas across the city,” the company stated.
“Overall incidents of anti-social behaviour and vandalism on buses have also decreased in recent years since the introduction of the exact fare system, CCTV and security screens at the driver’s cab.
“The entire fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras and each vehicle is also equipped with a radio to to our Central Control Centre.
“Employees are fully trained on the comprehensive procedures for dealing with specific challenging situations, including anti-social behaviour.”