184 Drivers Skipping Charlesland…?

Children of the Cairn

atest press release from Cllr Stephen Stokes, issued on Sunday, October 23rd 2022…

Cllr Stephen Stokes has written to the NTA and Go Ahead about reports that some 184 drivers are skipping Charlesland.

Cllr Stokes stated: “Concerned local people have reached out to me about Charlesland being skipped. It’s utterly shocking. Charlesland, or any other area, should not be by-passed on the whim of a driver. Go Ahead has inflicted years of misery on North Wicklow commuters. But even by their standards this is a new low. If we want to encourage people to use public transport, it needs to be reliable, first and foremost.”

Cllr Stephen Stokes believes that not following the approved route is a dereliction of duty. He stated: “The approved routes are essential. As the nights draw in and the weather deteriorates, it is even more important for people to get to their correct bus stop, especially those less able.”

Cllr Stokes also believes it is inappropriate for children to be abandoned at an incorrect stop, especially at night. He added: “Go Ahead needs to understand that there is a duty of care. Just recently I had a local resident advise me that their 12 year old son was not dropped to Charlesland, because the driver was not bothered driving there.”

Cllr Stephen Stokes is seeking an investigation into Charlesland being skipped. He concluded: “We should thank the drivers who drive the 184 on time, and along the correct route. I use the 184 occasionally myself. When it runs correctly I have found it to be a good service. But clearly there are recruitment and oversight challenges in general. That’s no surprise as the Go Ahead depot is based in Ballymount, Dublin.

“I have asked the NTA and Go Ahead to investigate this matter and take appropriate action.”