Bus Éireann regrets ‘challenges’ on Expressway 30 route

Cavan Bus Station on Farnham Road reopened on Friday, July 1.

Bus Éireann has apologised for “challenges” faced by Expressway Route 30 customers in “recent weeks”, blaming difficulties in identifying private contractors to “support” the service after some passengers were left stranded when buses either failed to turn up or turned up too late.

The Route 30 (Dublin/Donegal) is the primary Expressway service passing through Cavan, connecting also to Dublin Airport.

This is the second time in almost as many months that Bus Éireann has had to defend itself following uproar in the local council chamber over changes made to the Expressway and PSO (Public Service Obligation) fares and ticketing system.

The issue around late arrivals, or not at all in some cases, was raised in Dáil Eireann last week, where it was brought to the atention of Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.

Saying the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan “very much” depends on this “critical” service, Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth continued: “I have anecdotal experience from people living in the area of where the bus either failed to turn up or turned up too late so that people had to ring to make other arrangements to get to the airport or they were going to miss their flights.”

Responding to a query submitted by The Anglo-Celt, Bus Éireann said: “We regret that there have been some challenges on our Expressway Route 30 (Dublin/Donegal), typically due to issues impacting driver availability, often at short notice. We have operated more than 95% of scheduled services on Route 30 over the past two weeks.

“We have tried to build greater resilience into Route 30 operations by identifying private contractors who can support services when required. Unfortunately, this solution has proven difficult to implement. We would like to reassure customers that we are committed to and working hard to ensure we deliver our full schedule of services and apologise for the impact on them when this has not been possible.”

Customers planning trips on Expressway services are now advised to “be prepared for greater demand” on some services over the summer months. More than half of customers on this route, the spokesperson said, are now booking in advance at expressway.ie

“We strongly advise all customers, including those holding Free Travel Passes, to do so. Customers who have booked in advance receive an email directly if there is an impact on their chosen service, providing opportunity to rebook and make alternative arrangements to ensure travel.”

Cavan Bus Station on Farnham Road is meanwhile reopened on Friday, July 1.

Last week it was confirmed that Bus Éireann will commence the reopening of Monaghan bus station, seven days a week from 9am to 7pm, together with security staff on-site each day.

Bus Éireann are also in final discussions with the operator of the cafe with the expectation that this can be re-opened in the near future.