Issues with cancellations and no-shows of some north Dublin bus routes are being caused by Covid and recruitment issues, the NTA has said.
Locals are reporting problems regarding the reliability of Go-Ahead routes 236A, which serves Blanchardstown to Damastown IBM and the 238, which runs from Lady's Well Road to Tyrrelstown.
A National Transport Authority spokeswoman told Dublin Live that "all public transport operators are facing a growing challenge in the recruitment and retention of staff particularly drivers and maintenance staff".
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She continued: "This is having an impact on service delivery on bus services where drivers may not be available at short notice due to Covid or other illness, resulting in some services being cancelled. Operators currently have active recruitment campaigns."
Sinn Fein Dublin West TD Paul Donnelly said he has received many reports of cancellations and no shows on these routes and called the excuse of Covid and lack of drivers "simply not acceptable".
He said: "Surely the answer to a lack of drivers is to recruit more. This is not an isolated incident; I have heard reports of cancelations on other routes operated by GoAhead.
"If GoAhead cannot adequately supply the service they are contracted to provide, the tender should be cancelled and returned to Dublin Bus. I have contacted the NTA to ask them to liaise with GoAhead to provide a fit for purpose bus service for the people in my constituency."
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