Ghost Buses Haunt Dublin’s Public Transport: New Tracker Launched
The phenomenon of "ghost buses" is leaving Dublin commuters frustrated and stranded, as countless riders have experienced the disappointment of waiting for buses that never arrive. Today, a new initiative aims to tackle this issue head-on by launching a tool that invites the public to contribute to a more comprehensive account of these elusive transport experiences. Dubbed the No-Show Bus Tracker, this online platform at noshowbus.ie seeks to gather valuable data on bus cancellations and reliability, essential for improving public transport in Dublin.
What Are Ghost Buses?
Ghost buses—buses that are listed as “due” but never show up—are frustratingly common in Dublin. The digital displays and apps helpfully countdown the minutes to arrival, only for commuters to be left waiting indefinitely when the bus simply does not come. This unreliability not only hinders punctuality but also tarnishes the reputation of public transport, a critical concern as the Irish government encourages citizens to shift from car reliance to more sustainable forms of transport like buses, cycling, and walking.
The Drivers Behind the Problem
The main operator of Dublin’s bus network, Dublin Bus, is facing a severe driver shortage that exacerbates the problem of ghost buses. As reported by Thomas O’Connor, Assistant General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), many potential drivers are opting for jobs with more family-friendly hours instead of the long, erratic shifts demanded by bus companies. "With the current low unemployment rate in Ireland, there is intense competition for skilled drivers," O’Connor said, emphasizing the growing challenge for Dublin Bus amidst increased demand brought on by the ongoing rollout of the BusConnects initiative.
Insights from the NTA
According to data from the National Transport Authority (NTA), the rate of bus cancellations spiked to 7.4% in July 2022 and has recently seen a downward trend to 2.4% in March 2024, although this remains above the desired target of 2%. When a bus is cancelled, and the real-time passenger information system (RTPI) is not updated, the bus remains visible on apps and displays as if it were still on schedule. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan remarked, "Apps like TFI Live cannot display a service as cancelled if it has not received appropriate cancellation messages from the operator."
The Role of Technology: New AVL System
In December 2022, the NTA awarded a €68.5 million contract to Trapeze Group UK to develop an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system aimed at reducing both ghost buses and cancelled service notifications. Expected to roll out between late 2025 and 2026, the new system promises to enhance communication between operators and commuters.
No-Show Bus Tracker: Gathering Data
To advance the understanding and mitigation of ghost bus incidents, noshowbus.ie has been launched. This independent tool invites users to report instances of ghost buses, aiming to create a richer dataset to address inherent shortcomings in the current reporting mechanisms used by Dublin Bus and the NTA. The NTA currently publishes data on reliability, but existing measures tend to favor the interests of operators, often omitting significant variables that impact the commuter experience.
By collecting reports on no-show buses, the No-Show Bus Tracker seeks granular data that pinpoints when and where these incidents occur. "Gathering data from the public could provide insights that traditional sources overlook," said an NTA spokesperson.
Looking Ahead
As the tracker evolves, plans are underway to incorporate visual features like dashboards to summarize reports and potentially a live feed tracking ghost bus occurrences in real-time. Providing users with a weekly digest will also be considered, enabling better communication tunnels with the National Transport Authority and public awareness of the ongoing issues.
In light of these developments, the hope is that collective citizen reporting will prompt further improvements in service reliability and commuter satisfaction.
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