Vanishing bus stop “removed by a local resident on a regular basis” reported to Gardaí

A case of a vanishing bus stop that Dublin Bus investigation found is being “removed by a local resident on a regular basis” has been reported to Gardaí

The bus stop poll on Watermill Drive in Raheny has been replaced twice since late February, the National Transport Authority has said. It is currently missing from its official location, but it shows up in the real-time timetable system. Bus stops in estates in Dublin are often only marked with a bus stop pole.

There is a process of stop rationalisation under BusConnects, which involves removing bus stops that are viewed as being too close together to provide a more reliable bus service, but this is unrelated.

Cllr Donna Cooney (Green Party) said: “When you get emails saying a bus stop has been removed, you assume it is the NTA or Dublin bus that has decided to remove the bus stop. So, I was completely aghast to hear that a resident had not once but repeatedly removed the bus stop.”

“I had been contacted by older residents who found it difficult to get to the next bus stop. I’ve requested a replacement bus stop from NTA and suggested a tracking device. I’ve also written to Raheny Garda to investigate this with Dublin Bus,” Cllr Cooney said.

In an email to the councillor, Dublin Bus said: “Our Operations Team has investigated the complaint relating to bus stop 4386. The investigation found that the bus stop is being removed by a local resident on a regular basis.”

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The company added: “Dublin Bus is responsible for the operation of bus services, while the National Transport Authority (NTA) holds ownership of the bus stops. Dublin Bus has reported this matter to the NTA.”

A spokesperson for the National Transport Authority said that it has reported the issue to the Gardaí.

“This is not a new bus stop and has been in situ for some decades. It currently serves customers on H spine services. The pole has been replaced twice since late February, the cost of which is not insignificant,” an NTA spokesperson said.

“Cost includes both materials (pole, flag, carousel, socket, concrete) and the labour necessary to undertake the work”, the said.

The spokesperson added: “The matter has been reported to An Garda Siochana. We will continue to work with Dublin Bus, Dublin City Council and an Garda Siochana to ensure passengers are not discommoded.”

While not commenting on the incident directly, a spokesperson at the Garda Press Office has said: “All reported instances of criminal damage and theft undergo comprehensive investigation by An Garda Síochána.”