Latest news with #Go-AheadIreland
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Dublin commuters call for ‘escalation' as service failures on S8 route continue
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.
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Fare changes next week for Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland services
Sweeping fare changes are to be introduced next week for Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin and the surrounding areas. From Monday, fares on these commuter services are to change, with some decreasing, some increasing, and some remaining the same. The changes will impact certain commuters travelling by bus between Dublin and parts of Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has said that the changes are being introduced as part of a new Leap zonal fare structure. It follows similar changes to rail fares that came into effect in April. The NTA has said the plans will see fares determined on a "more equitable and easy-to-understand basis". It said: "The cost per kilometre travelled is now more consistent, and fares are more closely related to the straight-line distance between the origin and destination of journey." The new system is divided into four zones. The new zone that a person's departure and arrival bus stop fall into will determine whether their fare will increase or decrease. The four new zones are broken up as follows: - Zone 1 includes areas within a 23km radius of central Dublin. - Zone 2 covers areas including Gormanston, Skerries, Kilcock, Sallins and Naas, Greystones, and Kilcoole. - Zone 3 covers areas including Drogheda, Enfield, Newbridge and Wicklow town. - Zone 4 covers areas including Kildare town and Rathdrum. This replaces the previous set-up where Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann had their own fare structures that did not align with each other. The changes apply to the following Bus Éireann commuter services: 101, 101X, 103, 103X, 105, 105X, 107, 108, 109/A/B/X, NX, 111/A/X, 115/C, 131, 132, 133, and some local/town services within the commuter area. In Co Meath, for example, there will be an increase on the single Leap fare from Navan to Dublin from €5.60 to €6.30 and from €7.70 to €8.10 for Athboy. However, other fares in the county will see a reduction. The single Leap fare from Ashbourne to Dublin is to decrease from €3.36 to €2.40, while the fare from Ratoath drops from €3.64 to €2.40. The NTA has said that the best value fares for commuters will continue to be offered to Leap Card and TFI Go App users. New daily, weekly and monthly offerings for Leap Card holders are also being rolled out. These will cover journeys from each of the zones into the centre of Dublin but also multi-modal travel on different operators within the Dublin City Zone.
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
New fares to be introduced for Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland
Sweeping fare changes are to be introduced next week for Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin and the surrounding areas. From Monday, fares on these commuter services are to change, with some decreasing, some increasing, and some remaining the same. The changes will impact certain commuters travelling by bus between Dublin and parts of Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has said that the changes are being introduced as part of a new Leap zonal fare structure. It follows similar changes to rail fares that came into effect in April. The NTA has said the plans will see fares determined on a "more equitable and easy-to-understand basis". It said: "The cost per kilometre travelled is now more consistent, and fares are more closely related to the straight-line distance between the origin and destination of journey." The new system is divided into four zones. The new zone that a person's departure and arrival bus stop fall into will determine whether their fare will increase or decrease. The four new zones are broken up as follows: - Zone 1 includes areas within a 23km radius of central Dublin. - Zone 2 covers areas including Gormanston, Skerries, Kilcock, Sallins and Naas, Greystones, and Kilcoole. - Zone 3 covers areas including Drogheda, Enfield, Newbridge and Wicklow town. - Zone 4 covers areas including Kildare town and Rathdrum. This replaces the previous set-up where Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann had their own fare structures that did not align with each other. The changes apply to the following Bus Éireann commuter services: 101, 101X, 103, 103X, 105, 105X, 107, 108, 109/A/B/X, NX, 111/A/X, 115/C, 131, 132, 133, and some local/town services within the commuter area. In Co Meath, for example, there will be an increase on the single Leap fare from Navan to Dublin from €5.60 to €6.30 and from €7.70 to €8.10 for Athboy. However, other fares in the county will see a reduction. The single Leap fare from Ashbourne to Dublin is to decrease from €3.36 to €2.40, while the fare from Ratoath drops from €3.64 to €2.40. The NTA has said that the best value fares for commuters will continue to be offered to Leap Card and TFI Go App users. New daily, weekly and monthly offerings for Leap Card holders are also being rolled out. These will cover journeys from each of the zones into the centre of Dublin but also multi-modal travel on different operators within the Dublin City Zone. Full details on each of the four zones being introduced under the new system and the fares associated with each one can be found on the Transport for Ireland website.
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘We would love to recruit younger donors and start them on a lifetime of blood donation'
Go-Ahead Ireland, and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service have teamed up to encourage bus passengers to become donors. They are hoping the campaign – called 'Kill Time' – will 'recruit more new younger donors and start them on a lifetime of blood donation'. The campaign will enable passengers to take a short three-minute donation eligibility survey online while on their journey. If they are eligible to give blood, they could make a meaningful difference to someone in need of a blood transfusion and potentially save a life. The 'Kill Time' awareness campaign will be rolled out across the Go Ahead Ireland fleet in the Greater Dublin Area and surrounding environs. When passengers board a Go Ahead bus, they will be invited to use their smartphone to scan, click, and learn about how they can become part of Ireland's life-saving blood donation community. Participants will be notified immediately after doing the quiz of their likely eligibility to give blood and become a blood donor. 'It's often more difficult to reach potential donors in larger cities, so we are delighted to link up with Go-Ahead Ireland and promote the message of blood donation to its many passengers,' Paul McKinney, Director Donor Service & Logistics, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, said. 'In particular, we would love to recruit more new younger donors, and we are hoping this campaign piques their interest and starts them on a lifetime of blood donation.' Dervla McKay, Managing Director, Go-Ahead Ireland, added: 'We are immensely proud to have the opportunity to support the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in encouraging and facilitating the public to donate blood. ADVERTISEMENT 'Every month, over a million passengers use our services, so we are well positioned to not only communicate the need for blood donations, but also to encourage the communities we serve to support the vital work undertaken by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.' In Ireland, one in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, and a single donation can save up to three lives. Each blood donation only lasts 35 days, meaning the need for blood donors is constant, which is further emphasised by the fact that the IBTS needs over 3,000 donations every week to maintain a healthy supply. You can take the blood donation eligibility quiz here.
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
May bank holiday travel chaos to hit Wicklow as Dart stations close
There are fears of travel chaos as Bray station is being closed on Saturday, Sunday, and bank holiday Monday, May 3-5, meaning travellers to the 24th Jazz festival – with a catchment area that extends south into County Wicklow, as well as into South County Dublin – are being limited to the bus routes or using private transport. Last year, a shuttle bus service operated as there were late shows scheduled over the weekend for the festival at Mermaid Arts Centre. However, this is not the case this year as there are no late night shows. Instead, festival organisers have advised concertgoers attending shows at Mermaid Arts Centre and Bray Town Hall, that there is free evening parking available underground at Bray Civic Plaza (behind the council buildings). Meanwhile, Iarnrod Eireann has advised that due to engineering works between Grand Canal Dock and Greystones will mean the following service alterations and amendments will occur: There will be no Dart services between Grand Canal Dock and Greystones. Dart services will operate between Grand Canal Dock and Howth/Malahide. The following Dart stations will be closed: Lansdowne Rd, Sandymount, Sydney Parade, Booterstown, Blackrock, Seapoint, Salthill and Monkstown, Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove and Glasthule, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney, Shankill, Bray, Greystones and Kilcoole. Dublin Bus/Go-Ahead Ireland will accept valid rail tickets for travel between closed stations. The engineering works will also impact the Rosslare services, whereby bus transfers will operate directly from Dublin Connolly to Wicklow, and a second bus transfer will run from Dun Laoghaire to Bray, Greystones and Wicklow. For details on Rosslare train times, go to
