Louth Labour TD Ged Nash has said that Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have agreed to carry out a review of the vehicles operating on Drogheda’s 173 bus route, following ongoing concerns about the service’s reliability.
Deputy Nash said his office continues to receive frequent complaints from passengers about the route, with reliability emerging as the main issue. He noted that the 173 service has been a persistent source of frustration for local users, particularly older residents who depend on it for daily travel.
He also recalled the difficulties experienced last year by residents of Brookville Estate when changes to the route meant the bus no longer entered the estate. Following representations to Bus Éireann and the NTA, an arrangement was put in place to allow the bus to stop at the entrance to the estate when required.
However, Deputy Nash said problems with the service extend beyond that issue. He pointed out that many elderly passengers rely on the route and are regularly left waiting at bus stops, often without seating or shelter, due to late-running services or buses that fail to show up.
According to Deputy Nash, recent engagement with both Bus Éireann and the NTA has led to an acknowledgement that there are underlying operational problems. In correspondence to him, the NTA stated that the performance of Route 173 in Drogheda has been impacted by vehicle availability and reliability issues, with older buses currently assigned to the route contributing to breakdowns and inconsistent service.
Deputy Nash said Bus Éireann and the NTA have now committed to a full review of spare vehicle arrangements for the route, with the aim of identifying changes that could improve reliability for passengers. He added that the situation has also been a source of frustration for local Bus Éireann drivers and staff who are doing their best under difficult circumstances.
The Drogheda-based TD said it is now a matter of seeing whether the promised review leads to real improvements on the ground. He welcomed the fact that the problem has been formally recognised and said he will continue to monitor the issue closely, with the hope that passengers will see a more dependable service in the near future.
