Dublin commuters call for ‘escalation' as service failures on S8 route continue

Irish Independent

3 days ago

This news comes five months after the transport Minister promised a 'detailed review of the problem'.
The S8, which connects Kingswood Avenue to Dún Laoghaire and passes through major employment zones like Sandyford and Leopardstown, has once again come under scrutiny.
Commuters on the route, operated by Go-Ahead Ireland, say issues have worsened in recent weeks, with buses vanishing from timetables and real-time tracking proving useless.
One regular user said the situation has now become 'untenable'.
'Daily delays are leaving passengers late for work and stranded without reliable transport home,' they said.
'It is clear that the issue is escalating, and we are approaching the point where wider intervention is necessary.'
They recalled six incidents this week alone where buses did not show up, were cancelled without notice or were significantly delayed.
Commuters are calling for 'immediate and visible steps' to resolve the failures on the route.
In a statement, Go Ahead Ireland it both 'acknowledges and sincerely apologises for any service disruptions', and said it is actively recruiting both drivers and mechanics.
In February, the minister acknowledged rising public frustration over 'ghost buses' across several Go-Ahead-operated routes, including the S8.
At the time, he said the National Transport Authority (NTA) was taking the issue 'very seriously' and that additional resources were being allocated to bus operators.
However, passengers and local councillors say the problems persist.
Back in April, Go-Ahead Ireland claimed the S8 route was operating at 98pc of its scheduled kilometres, and that performance had 'significantly improved' since the beginning of 2024.
One commuter says that even if 98pc of kilometres are being covered, it doesn't mean the actual timetable is being followed.
'What does that 98pc figure actually mean for me at a bus stop at 7am or 7pm, when the bus I need to get to work or home just doesn't arrive?'
Social media posts about 'phantom' or vanished S8 services have been ongoing for months.
Several commuters have questioned whether enough drivers are available to maintain the route, particularly during off-peak and evening times.
The S8, which replaced previous routes as part of the BusConnects redesign, provides a direct link between the southwest suburbs and major employment hubs in Sandyford and Leopardstown.
But without consistent service, passengers say the route is 'failing in its basic purpose'.
Go-Ahead Ireland (GAI) said it 'can confirm there have been service disruptions on the S8 route'.
'These disruptions resulted from a combination of factors including traffic congestion, fleet availability, and operational challenges,' they said.
'GAI is actively recruiting both drivers and mechanics. Recently, 10 mechanics from outside of Ireland have been recruited and are due to join the team in the coming months.
'On 14 July, 2025, the 06.45am service from Dún Laoghaire Station to Kingswood Avenue serviced Foxrock on time at 07.02. The stop was also serviced at 06.47 and at 07.19. The 19.00 service from Kingswood Avenue also operated on time.
'We acknowledge and sincerely apologise for any service disruptions, whether within or outside of our control, that affect our passengers.'
A spokesperson for the National Transport Authority added that it understands the frustration 'caused by cancellations and overcrowding'.
'We are actively working with the operator, Go-Ahead Ireland, to address these challenges,' they said.