DUBLIN Bus is being heavily criticised by local councillors this week for not making consultation documents on the proposed changes to local bus routes readily available on its website.
Two weeks ago, Dublin Bus proposed a number of changes to bus routes around the Sallynoggin, Dun Laoghaire, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney, Loughlinstown, Deansgrange and Shankill areas.
If the proposed changes go ahead, it will mean that the numbers 7, 59, 7B, 63, 7D, and 8 bus routes will all experience varying degrees of re-routing, and the proposed changes will also see the number 111 route discontinued.
Dublin Bus has initiated a consultation process. However, as yet, the consultation document is not readily available on its website, according to Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF).
He said: “I am surprised that still, neither Dublin Bus nor the National Transport Authority has this consultation document prominently displayed on either of their websites.
“For many daily commuters in Sallynoggin, Dun Laoghaire, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney, Loughlinstown, Deansgrange and Shankill, these proposals would mean massive changes to the regular routes and times of buses that workers depend on.”
Cllr Devlin said that Dublin Bus stated recently that these changes were to “improve journey times and provide more consistent frequency”; however, he believes that the majority of these proposals “do nothing of the sort for the majority of their passengers”.
In addition to the lack of transparency over the display of the consultation documents on the website, Cllr Devlin added that the document also gave two different deadlines for local people to submit their comments and suggestions.
He said that according to the consultation documents, the deadline was both June 30 and June 31.
“It is crucial that commuters and others who rely on public transport are made aware of these proposals and are afforded the opportunity to comment on them. This proposal must not proceed and further dialogue must take place between Dublin Bus and its customers before any changes are made.
“I would urge all commuters to email their comments and feedback on this proposal to [email protected] before the end of July.”
Concern
Deputy and Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett (FG) also told The Gazette that he had contacted Dublin Bus following his representation to them whereby he conveyed the concern of numerous constituents at how the proposed changes would affect the local areas.
Deputy Barrett said: “I will continue to press this issue with Dublin Bus.”
In response, Dublin Bus told The Gazette: “On July 6, a draft consultation document was presented to local representatives prior to a meeting of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council regarding Dublin Bus services in the Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin and Loughlinstown areas.
“An official announcement of the proposals for these areas will be published on our website in the coming weeks at www.dublinbus.ie, and we will be inviting feedback from the public on these proposals. Details will also be made available to public representatives in these areas.
“Dublin Bus is committed to engaging with the public in regard to the proposed changes and will do so prior to finalising the proposals.”
