Lack of Buses servicing DCU 

By Shane Smyth

Meath students call upon 109A services to resume its service to Dublin City University. The uproar comes as Bus Eireann confirmed that there will be just two dedicated services to Dublin City University each morning and evening as of the twenty seventh of September. The 109a bus stop was discontinued in January 2021 due to over half of arrivals on the route being late. Combined with a lack of accommodation in Dublin, Meath students are being left with no short routes to the college leading to additional transport fees due to two buses now being necessary

Despite Dunshaughlin, Ashbourne, Ratoath, and Dunboyne only being a 30 minute drive from DCU, it requires two bus routes and over an hour of travelling to reach it by bus.

Local councillors and TD’s are calling for Bus Eireann to restore the 109A service to DCU as there are many students that rely on its service. With many students contacting him with their concerns over the service TD Darren O’Rourke called on Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to explain how he would support college students ensuring they leave their cars at home and get public transport. “I am very conscious of time and want to provide the key information to the Deputy. I will set out the details of very specific schemes to support active travel, particularly for our student’s population, which is the key consideration in the question,” Eamon Ryan said in response.

Darren O’Rourke urged the Minister to work with his colleague, Minister for education Norma Foley, on the opportunities to expand the schools bus transport scheme. 

With the country’s COVID restrictions over the past year students who might not have been able to do their theory tests, driving lessons and driving tests due to the pandemic. This leaves them with no other choice than to rely on bus services. So it is vital for the minister of education, the minister of transport and Bus Eireann to work together and to get this problem resolved.