Cork Bus Timetable Chaos: Commuters Say Services Have "Gotten Worse"
Following the introduction of revised timetables in Cork, Bus Éireann has reported positive service delivery improvements. However, commuters are telling that the situation has actually worsened.
Bus Éireann cites a 79% reduction in lost service kilometers in the first week due to fleet/staffing issues. While acknowledging improved service punctuality, they admit that traffic congestion remains a challenge, exacerbated by the recent jazz festival’s impact on city traffic.
In terms of recruitment, they highlight “intensive efforts” yielding positive results. The current driver shortage stands at 11 (down from 20 two weeks ago), with 18 in training. This represents a driver delivery shortage of 29 today.
Despite these figures, commuters paint a different picture. Jack Keane, a student reliant on the now less frequent 220 bus, believes the revised timetables mark a “huge step back” for transport in Cork. He reports that service reliability hasn’t improved, with buses still frequently arriving full.
His experience is mirrored by another commuter who uses the 202, which transitioned from every 20 minutes to every half an hour. She highlights that bus cancellations and extended wait times, especially in the evening, have become even more frequent. She even observed empty 213 buses passing repeatedly while the 202 remained absent.
Local politicians have echoed these concerns. Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould expressed outrage over reports of buses not turning up over the jazz weekend, leaving commuters stranded and feeling unsafe. Labour councillor and general election candidate Laura Harmon criticized the longer waits and cancellations, contrasting them with the assurances given by Bus Éireann that the timetable reduction would address these issues.
Have you experienced service disruptions since the changes to Cork’s bus timetable? Share your experience in the comments below.