Locals “losing patience” over poor public transport in Glencullen-Sandyford, says O’Connor

Green councillor Oisin O’Connor has written to the various CEOs of Dublin’s public transport systems, calling for improvements for his constituents in Glencullen-Sandyford.

In a letter published on the councillors’ website, O’Connor said that the Glencullen-Sandyford local electoral area is the fastest-growing one for new housing in the country, with 4,600 new homes built in the area over the last decade.

1,500 new homes are currently under construction in the area, with a further 2,000 being granted planning permission.

This rapid growth, however, is not being matched by increased public transport services in the area.

O’Connor said, “incremental improvements to Luas services over the past few years and increased working from home did ease pressure on public transport, but things are starting to reach breaking point now.”

“If the NTA doesn’t improve public transport as a matter of urgency, people in these new homes won’t have the confidence in using the system, and will drive by force of habit into the future.”

In the letter, sent to Anne Shaw, CEO of the National Transport Authority, Billy Hahn, CEO of Dublin Bus, and Dervla McKay, managing director of Go-Ahead Ireland, O’Connor said that there are “very serious” issues to address in the area.

The Green councillor noted that the reliability and punctuality of the 44, 47 and 118 bus routes are poor, and the routes are among the three most complained about Dublin Bus services.

He noted that the S8 and 114 are the worst performers of Go-Ahead’s fleet and that the L26, L27, 14 and 74 are also poor performers.

He acknowledged that there are driver shortages, but said that doesn’t address the fundamental issues with bus services in the Glencullen-Sandyford area.

“At peak times, there is a serious deficiency in bus services for commuters in Glencullen-Sandyford; lack of frequency also reduces confidence as people feel it’s a risk to rely on a bus that comes every 30 minutes.”

“How you can leave people in Glencullen without a Monday-Friday service is beyond me,” he said.

O’Connor said that locals were “losing patience” with the poor public transport services in the area.

“The feeling is that we are being ignored. I know it doesn’t help that our TDs are silent on our public transport issues, but I am asking you to take your public duty seriously and address these issues.”