Sir, – There are ongoing and unacceptable failures of Dublin Bus Route 80, which serves Chapelizod and surrounding areas. The service never runs to schedule and is plagued by frequent cancellations and persistent lateness, particularly during peak commuting times.
For residents who rely on this route, the consequences are serious. People are unable to get to or from work, children are missing school or arriving late, and elderly passengers, people with disabilities and parents travelling with young children are increasingly unable to access the city centre. Communities are becoming isolated and effectively cut off.
These problems are not unique to Chapelizod. Many similar communities have been negatively impacted by the BusConnects plan, with routes altered, reduced or made less direct, resulting in longer journey times and less reliable services. While BusConnects was meant to improve public transport, for many areas it has done the opposite.
What is particularly unbelievable about Route 80 is that it appears to be deliberately designed to deviate away from designated bus lanes along the quays.
RM Block
Instead of benefiting from priority infrastructure intended to improve reliability and journey times, the route is sent through more congested roads, almost guaranteeing delays. This raises serious questions about planning and decision-making.
Peak-time cancellations only add to the frustration, leaving passengers stranded with little or no information. Public transport should be a dependable service, not a daily gamble.
People are constantly encouraged to leave their cars at home, yet the reality is that the service provided is simply not fit for purpose.
Open-source data published by the NTA has revealed that the cancellation figure stands at 8.9 per cent and has continually worsened – peaking at 19.3 per cent of cancellations on December 11th, 2025.
Dublin Bus and the relevant transport authorities must be held accountable. Reliable, punctual and accessible public transport is not a luxury; it is essential for employment, education, social inclusion and quality of life. – Yours, etc,
LIAM FALLON,
Chapelizod,
Dublin 20.
