Go Ahead Fined €526,000

She won’t be coming round the mountain…

atest press release from Labour Party rep Ian McGahon, issued on Tuesday, September 6th 2022…

Bray West Labour Party Representative Ian McGahon has welcomed confirmation from the National Transport Authority that they have fined Go Ahead Ireland just over €526,000 for a 9 month period for its poor bus services including the North Wicklow Bus Routes 45a, 184 and 185.

Speaking on the issue Ian McGahon said, “Commuters in Bray, Enniskerry, Kilmacanogue, Greystones and Newtownmountkennedy have been deeply frustrated at the extremely poor service since Go Ahead took over the 45a, 184 and 185 routes 4 years ago.

“The National Transport Authority confirmed to my colleague Duncan Smith TD today that from July 2021 to March 2022 they have fined Go Ahead Ireland just over €526,000 for buses not operated. This news is very welcome in terms of holding Go Ahead Ireland to a standard and making them accountable for numerous bus no shows.

“This €526,000 fine while welcome doesnt adequately address the deep anger and despair felt in Bray, Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue though. In the last 4 years Go Aheads service has left young people and elderly stranded for hours, workers late for work, schoolchildren late for school, deeply frustrated families having to order late night taxis.

“Commuters in North Wicklow deserve a reliable service. Go Ahead Ireland isnt reliable. The National Transport Authority must take full responsibility for this issue and the Go Ahead Ireland contract should not be renewed beyond 2023 when it expires.

“The bottom line is. Go Ahead Irelands bus services are a shambles.

“Myself and My colleague Deputy Duncan Smith have made numerous representations to Go Ahead Ireland and National Transport Authority about the poor 45a, 184, 185 service and Deputy Smith will also be raising this in Dail Eireann once more,” concluded McGahon.