Dude, Where’s My Bus?

Hey, there’s Gus!

atest press release from Cllr Stephen Stokes, issued on Friday, July 8th 2022…

Cllr. Stephen Stokes has written to Go Ahead to raise concerns about 184 bus cancellations.

Cllr. Stokes stated: “I am a regular commuter on public transport, and passionately believe that we need reliable services. The 184 bus service seems to have deteriorated significantly under Go Ahead and I am seeking answers for passengers in the Greystones Municipal District”.

Cllr. Stephen Stokes has specifically raised the plight of the 18.40 bus (Monday to Friday) from Bray Railway Station. Cllr. Stokes added: “It’s like a mystery machine. One minute it’s on the app, then suddenly at the last minute it’s cancelled. This is very unfair for local passengers. Many people travelling at 18.40 are tired from their day at work, school or college etc. Go Ahead needs this service to go ahead”.

Cllr. Stokes believes at very minimum people should be informed of cancellations in advance. However he added that what people really deserve is a reliable service that runs on time.

Additionally Cllr. Stephen Stokes believes that public transport, including the 184 bus, is critical to reducing petrol and diesel emissions in North Wicklow. He stated: “If we are serious about reducing car usage, then alternatives need to be in place. Less reliance on petrol and diesel cars is a win-win for everyone, leading to less fumes and less traffic. However every time a bus service is cancelled it erodes confidence and trust in the system. People who have cars may give up, and go back to driving”.

Cllr. Stokes further pointed to the strategic importance of the 184 bus. He stated: “With the massive population growth of Delgany, Greystones, Kilcoole, Killadreenan and Newcastle, the demand for public transport has never been greater. I believe we need to increase public transport as a priority”.

Cllr. Stephen Stokes thanked all the local people who reached out about this important issue. He added: “It is affecting local businesses also. One language school advised me that their international students have been left stranded on numerous occasions. They end up being late for classes, and it leaves an unpleasant feeling for these visitors”.

Cllr. Stokes concluded: “Simply put, I’m calling for the 184 bus services to run as scheduled, and for expansion to cater for our growing population.”

Anyone seeking to contact Cllr. Stephen Stokes about public transport or any other issue can do so on [email protected].