Dublin Bus will continue normal 13 route services after threat of curtailment

Drivers raised “safety concerns” over incidents such as stones being thrown at buses, as well as intimidation and harassment by youths.

Grange Castle would still have full service, but the Bawnogue estate would be avoided by drivers until they could safely pass through.

The proposed curtailing of services has been put on hold according to local Councillor Francis Timmons.

“Following talks with Dublin Bus drivers, they have withdrawn their curtailment of the service of the 13 bus in Bawnogue. Normal service will continue for now,” he told the Irish Independent.

Drivers have halted the proposed stoppage after receiving assurances and guarantees that they can pass through the original route “without the threat of attacks.”

“I feel it is regrettable that such drastic action has been taken as this will affect so many in our community but I also feel it the duty of parents to know where their kids are and what they are doing,” Timmons said earlier this week.

“It’s a small minority that will affect a large number of people, and the people I’ve spoken to about the issue are very angry.”

Speaking to Newstalk, Simmons said that while Gardaí have promised to increase their presence in the area, Timmons said the drivers are demanding a more long-term solution to the issue.

“What the drivers are saying is they want reassurance that this is not going to be a one-off or for a week; they want to make sure that they’re safe to go into these areas in the long-term.”

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny said he was “very concerned” that such a “vital bus” service was at threat of being curtailed because of the actions of a small minority.

“I understand that the drivers have not taken this decision lightly and that their main concern is to ensure their own and their passenger’s safety, but it is very unfortunate that the wider community will suffer the consequences by losing their bus service.

He said that if the services were reduced, residents would have to undertake a 15-minute walk to the nearest bus stop which presented difficulties for people with mobility issues.

Local representative for People Before Profit Darragh Adelaide said: “I live in Bawnogue and use this bus myself regularly. I attended a meeting with local residents, representatives for Dublin Bus and local youth workers. I believe that investment is needed in local youth projects and services to combat this type of behaviour.”

A Dublin Bus spokesman stated, “we take incidents of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, and have a firm strategy in place to tackle anti-social behaviour on our buses.”

The spokesman said that the entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras with up to eleven internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet.

“In cases of serious incidents on board a bus, central control coordinates with emergency services, such as the Garda and ambulance services, if required,” they said.