By Eve Lonergan
Following a review of the busy 220 bus route, a new timetable is due to be published on Monday, September 30th, and changes will come into effect on October 20th.
The proposed changes are temporary and are intended to improve punctuality across several services, including the 202/202a, 205, 208, and 220.
The 220 bus route currently runs from Ovens to Fort Camden via Carrigaline, and is relied on by many in the surrounding areas.
These changes resulted from a review undertaken by Bus Éireann following increasing struggles to meet passenger demand amid a driver shortage.
The growing discontent with the unreliability of the bus service in recent weeks culminated in a protest march taking place Saturday September 21st.
Dozens walked from Parnell Place Bus Station to the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Cork offices on Penrose Wharf to voice their dissatisfaction with the disruptions to integral bus routes.
Members of the Carrigaline Municipal District voiced their concerns regarding the unreliability of the 220 route at their monthly meeting, as reported by The Carrigdhoun. Although recognising there was a shortage of drivers and possibly buses, all agreed that there was a need for a road map as to when improvements would take place.
The publishing of this review will be welcomed by all seeking clarity on the bus route and timetable. Commenting on the 220 bus review, Cllr. Jack White clarified that this is a “new, temporary change”, and asked the public to “give it a chance”.
Though these temporary changes aim to alleviate the pressure placed on key routes, Bus Éireann are still undertaking a recruitment drive, and hope to return service frequency to the current timetable as soon as possible.
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