Launch of No-Show Bus Tracker to Combat Dublin’s Ghost Buses
A growing frustration among bus users in Dublin has prompted the launch of a new tool aimed at addressing the persistent issue of “ghost buses”—those that appear scheduled but never arrive. With the bus system facing challenges due to driver shortages and cancelled services, many passengers find themselves stranded, turning to alternatives amid calls to reduce car usage and promote public transportation. Today, we introduce the No-Show Bus Tracker at noshowbus.ie, inviting the public to share their experiences and contribute data to this critical initiative.
The Ghost Bus Phenomenon
For countless Dublin commuters, the experience of waiting for a bus that never arrives has become all too common. Predictive apps and digital displays often indicate a bus will arrive shortly—minutes ticking down from nine to due—but ultimately users are left without transport, as these ghost buses vanish along with their scheduled arrival times. The repercussions are significant, making journeys frustrating, delaying arrivals, and contributing to a reputation that hinders public transport’s appeal, especially in a city striving to advocate for greener commuting methods.
Thomas O’Connor, Assistant General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), explained the contributing factors to this issue in March 2023, stating, “Bus companies are struggling to hire and retain drivers. With the current employment landscape, many opt for roles that offer better work-life balance over long, erratic shifts.”
The Need for Data
The necessity for a reliable tracking system is clear, especially as Dublin Bus struggles with high cancellation rates attributed to ongoing driver shortages. According to figures provided by the National Transport Authority (NTA), cancellation rates soared to 7.4% around July 2022 but have since fallen to 2.4% as of March 2024—still exceeding the ideal target of 2%. Yet these statistics only scratch the surface of the bigger issue.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has highlighted the challenges with real-time information systems stating, “Apps like TFI Live cannot display a service as cancelled unless the proper cancellation message is received from the operator.” As a result, users often receive misleading information about bus availability, contributing to the proliferation of ghost buses.
To combat this issue, the NTA has recently awarded a €68.5 million contract to Trapeze Group UK Ltd for an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system. The rollout, expected to begin in late 2025, aims to eliminate ghost buses by providing real-time, reliable tracking information for all bus routes.
Launching No-Show Bus Tracker
With an acute awareness of the limitations of existing data, we are proud to unveil the No-Show Bus Tracker. This independent tool aims to gather comprehensive reports on bus cancellations and ghost buses directly from the people who experience them. By visiting noshowbus.ie, users can share their experiences and contribute to a more robust dataset.
The NTA frequently publishes data on service reliability, but these reports often miss critical instances of cancellations beyond the control of Dublin Bus, such as road closures and extreme weather events. Our tracking tool seeks to address these gaps by enabling users to pinpoint specific instances of ghost buses along their routes.
How It Works
- User-Generated Reports: Visit noshowbus.ie to submit your experiences with ghost buses or cancelled services.
- Data Collection: Reports are collected in a secure database that will provide insights into the frequency and location of service issues across Dublin’s bus network.
- Future Features: Plans are underway to enhance the site with a dashboard summarizing reports and possibly a live feed of current submissions, establishing a transparent flow of information for the community.
Any data reported will remain confidential unless consent is given for further communication, ensuring user privacy while striving for accountability within the bus system.
The Path Forward
The ongoing discourse surrounding Dublin’s public transport infrastructure has never been more vital. As we push towards a sustainable future that prioritizes public transit, cycling, and walking, it is essential to address the systematic failures that currently plague the bus system. Through the collective efforts of citizens and stakeholders, we can work towards improving the reliability of Dublin Bus, and ultimately foster a transit system that meets the needs of its users.
We invite you to visit noshowbus.ie now, share your experiences, and help build a clearer picture of the issues facing bus users in Dublin. Your participation is crucial for fostering change.
What do you think of the current bus services in Dublin? We encourage you to leave your thoughts in the comments and help spread the word about the No-Show Bus Tracker!
