Shortage of mechanics disrupting Go-Ahead bus schedules

Bus operator Go-Ahead Ireland is blaming a shortage of mechanics and seasonal illness for negative bus scheduling issues primarily in what they call the ‘Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area network’. It acknowledges that this has reduced the number of active buses on the road.

The operator is short of six mechanics, but says that an increase in applications since the start of the year for roles advertised in a dedicated recruitment campaign will address the issue.

The company also attributes the roll out of a new BusConnects service as contributing to the problem. Similar issues are arising on routes associated with Phase 6a, which was launched just just eleven days ago. It points to the increased number of buses in its fleet due to this latest phase of BusConnects, as also being a contributing factor to delays because of the additional vehicles that require maintenance.

Long delays are being experienced, and buses have been disappearing from timetables, a practice tagged by would-be passengers as “ghost buses”.

Go-Ahead says that it recognises the issues, and is working to address the causes and best adjust their services with the resources available.

The company apologised to those who have been affected and said that it is beginning to see improvements to services.