2026-06-18

109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to address the deteriorating service on the 103 Bus Éireann route serving areas including Ashbourne and Ratoath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44955/26]

I want to ask about the measures being taken to address the deteriorating service on the 103 bus route serving areas including Ashbourne and Ratoath to and from Dublin. There is huge frustration about the services. Not a day passes without constituents raising concerns about the service, not just to me but also to Government colleagues in Meath and in Meath East. We need improvement on these services.

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services, in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. The services are subsidised and the NTA is responsible for the routes, fares and shared systems. In the case of route 103 serving Dublin to Ratoath via Ashbourne, Bus Éireann is responsible, as we have said, for the management and day-to-day operation as the operator, alongside the other PSO services. The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between the operators and the NTA. The contracts allow for not just the monitoring of performance but also the publication of the annual performance reports and, importantly, for the imposition of financial penalties to reinvest into the network in places where performance does not meet the minimum required standards, as well as reasonable incentive payments where performance exceeds the set standards. In terms of punctuality, the 103 has unfortunately been generally performing below the minimum contractual standards since the start of this year. However, adhering to on-time performance can be challenging given the length of the route, the variability of traffic conditions in towns and villages along the way, as well as general traffic congestion in Dublin city centre. The point the Deputy is making about improving the services is not one that we can gloss over and we need to listen to his articulation of the issue on behalf of the many people who are frustrated. I understand from the NTA that since the start of this year lost kilometres on the 103 route have been higher than desired, primarily due to mechanical issues and bus breakdowns. In line with its prescribed allocations and available resources for the year, the NTA is currently working with Bus Éireann to introduce a revised timetable on this route later this year. Additionally, the NTA is also meeting Bus Éireann weekly at senior management level to review all service performances and monitor the operator's plans to improve reliability. We as a Department have asked the NTA to promptly apprise us of the progress to address these challenges. When we get a report we will get back to the Deputy.

As I said, there is not a day passes that constituents do not raise concerns in relation to the service. Sometimes it is better to use their words rather than mine. I will give an example from the last 24 hours. To Whom it may Concern, I am writing this email as i am so disappointed and disgusted with the Bus Eireann service Ratoath/Ashbourne to Dublin. Number 103. I have lived in Ashbourne since 2004 and now in 2026 the bus service is worse than it was 22 years ago. How is that possible? Constantly late, no shows, the last few weeks there have been buses cancelled both ways, no explanation given and the notice given for the cancellation maybe less than 20 mins. When i am trying to get home from work i get on at Harts Corner, the buses are usually full and don't stop, especially when schools and colleges are open. The bus due at Harts Corner at 17:10 is usually a coach, what's the point in that? [...] There are only so many times an employer is going to listen to the excuse, the bus was cancelled or full. What do we say to these constituents? What does the Minister of State say to them?

First of all, it is not acceptable that there is that level of frustration and lateness for work. I accept that the issue is there. As I outlined in my initial response to the Deputy, there is engagement with Bus Éireann. We need to ensure that the frustration of people is now replaced by delivery of services. That is why the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I have been engaged fully with the NTA in terms of the review of not just the service, with the provision of staff in terms of fixing broken buses, but also in terms of the reliability. That is why we are very anxious that in this year it is about sustainability and building resilience. Where there are issues, there are fines. I know the fines are not good or acceptable to the person whose email the Deputy read out. I will take back the Deputy's comments. As someone who uses the bus service in Cork city, I know that people are looking for reliability and punctuality and we must build confidence in the system. I understand that and I will take back the Deputy's points. I am not familiar with route 103 but I certainly find it unacceptable that the person's email is a common one. That should not be the case.

It is very common. Across the political spectrum, local representatives at Oireachtas level and local authority level have met the NTA and Bus Éireann but it is like we are banging our heads off a wall. That is why I am raising this specific route here today. Considerable residential development is happening in Ashbourne and Ratoath and it is welcome but these services are not fit for purpose. If the Minister of State has this information I would appreciate it and if he does not I ask him to send it on to me. He has acknowledged that there are failures in these services. Has Bus Éireann been fined in relation to this and, if so, to what extent? It is important that the Minister of State puts the focus on this. There is a review of the Navan-Dublin bus corridor. There should be a detailed review of this service, the Dublin to Ratoath via Ashbourne corridor. It is hugely important and very popular. Lots of people want to use the bus but are not getting the opportunity of a reliable service.

I do not have the information the Deputy requested but I will ask my officials to communicate with him. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I, as a Department, have asked that a report on the route be directly given back to us. As the Deputy said, it is a critically important route. What is happening is unacceptable. We have been very clear on that. For us, punctuality is critical, Reliability is equally important. We, as Ministers, and the Department are very much of the view that we must build sustainability in order to stabilise matters. The Department, working with the NTA and Bus Éireann, has put in place plans in respect of mechanics, drivers and recruitment. We have spoken to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment regarding visas and work permits. What we want is a transport system that operates for the travelling public. If Deputy O'Rourke sends us the information he has, we will certainly communicate with him in respect of the fines. There have been fines levied on the bus providers, as the Deputy knows.