Residents living in Ballyfermot have reported major issues with the introduction of the new BusConnects routes in the area since Sunday.
The 79, 79A and 40 bus routes were replaced by the G1, G2 and Route 60 on Sunday with changes causing a serious headache for locals. Many are seeing their journey time double while others are waiting for buses that either arrived severely delayed or already packed with passengers.
One of the biggest issues they are facing is the level of traffic through parts of Dublin 8 with many issues arising due to delays through Mount Brown. And already the routes operated by Dublin Bus have been impacted by anti-social behaviour when entering Cherry Orchard leading to the service being diverted.
Read more: Dublin Bus: All you need to know about new 24-hour services
One passenger said: "The G1 and G2 didn't turn up on time on Wednesday morning. When it did ten minutes later it was full. Next bus came eight minutes later than that. I was late for work. The journey times into and out of town have now increased by at least 20 minutes if you're lucky. Not enough bus lanes. Traffic mental."
Another added: "The 60 bus was late the last three mornings resulting in me being late for work. Then coming home I had to walk to James's Hospital as there’s no bus from Heuston until almost 40 minutes after I finish work. Get to James's the bus shows due in four mins on the board and doesn’t arrive for another 15 minutes then the traffic is so heavy coming down through Kilmainham that the bus took 45 minutes to get from James hospital to Sarsfield. I finished work at 5pm I live in Lower Ballyfermot and I got home after 6pm a journey that used to only take me 20 minutes with the 79/79a."
The new routes are intended to increase capacity and frequency according to the NTA while also offering 24-hour service on the G1 and G2 route. Locals were encouraged to send their feedback to the National Transport Authority with councillor Hazel De Nortuin saying that she can help with relaying the message to the NTA. One passenger who was on the bus gave their feedback as their journey was taking place.
They said: "Currently sat on the new G1 bus, bus is packed no seats left. Three busses came at once there [sic] all packed out, traffic on the route is mental. I’m sitting on this 40 mins from Ballyfermot main road and only at James's Hospital now."
The increase in journey was a common issue from locals. One said: "The journey home from town was not nice. No bus info, jammed bus and then two together anyway. Creeping from Mount Brown all the way to SCR. An hour door to door. Used to take 30 mins max with 79."
Another added: "I was 30 min late to work this morning. It took me an hour to get from lower Ballyfermot to town, when with 79 it used to be 20 min. I was crying from helplessness and anger when stuck in traffick before Mount brown all the way to Christchurch."
Read more: Expressway buses including Dublin Airport routes face fare hikes
Other complaints from locals include timetables that are not supportive of the busiest hours for workers in the morning and evening and some buses arriving earlier than they were scheduled for.
One person said: "G1/G2 come and they are already packed. The bus stops seem more packed than ever. I feel bad for anyone trying to get on around in Inchicore village as they’ve no chance. Reducing the 60 (79/A) to once per hour just doesn’t make sense."
Another added: "I was 30 min late to work this morning. It took me an hour to get from lower Ballyfermot to town, when with 79 it used to be 20 min. I was crying from helplessness and anger when stuck in traffick before Mount brown all the way to Christchurch."
Speaking about the launch last week, Andrea Keane, Acting CEO of Dublin Bus said: "The launch of G Spine and Route 60 services is positive news for our customers across West Dublin.
"Along with providing increased capacity, frequency, and weekend services, this new phase of the network redesign will offer people 24-hour access to the docklands and key parts of the city's business district.”
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