Dublin Bus and other public transport operators in Ireland were slapped with a total of €17.9 million in penalties last year for failing to meet performance standards, according to a new report from the National Transport Authority (NTA).
According to The Journal, Dublin Bus bore the brunt of these fines, accounting for more than half of the total at €9.09 million. Other operators facing penalties included Bus Éireann, LUAS, and Irish Rail.
The fines, which are deducted from payments owed to these companies, were imposed due to issues with punctuality and reliability. Dublin Bus cited increasing traffic congestion as a major challenge to their operations.
Despite these setbacks, 2023 saw a record number of people using public transport in Ireland. Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, acknowledged the growth in passenger numbers but also noted the challenges it brought, especially in urban areas.
The NTA reported working closely with operators throughout the year to address underperformance and find solutions, such as adding extra capacity or adjusting journey times to account for congestion.
While the total amount of fines decreased slightly from 2022, the figures highlight ongoing struggles in meeting performance targets across Ireland’s public transport network.