Go-Ahead Ireland has reached their Minimum Performance Standard (MPS) regarding punctuality in just one period in the first half of this year.
New data obtained via a Freedom of Information request shows that Go-Ahead Ireland reached their MPS of 80% in the first period of 2022, dated January 1st – January 30th.
Punctuality is a Key Performance Indicator of the performance of transport companies, as part of the terms of their Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract with the National Transport Authority. To measure punctuality and the MPS rate, Go-Ahead Ireland and Dublin Bus Routes use low-frequency routes only.
A low-frequency route is deemed a route “which operates less than 5 times per hour on a weekday, outside the peak periods” according to NTA reports.
The report, made by the National Transport Authority, shows that Go-Ahead reached its target along the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA) corridor, while the Dublin Commuter Outer Metropolitan (DCOM) failed to reach its target once, with its highest score in the first half of this year hitting 79.5%.
This comes after Go-Ahead and Dublin Bus were heavily criticised by the Oireachtas Transport Committee last month. Both companies blamed staff shortages on their issues of punctuality, while the issue of ‘ghost’ buses was also discussed.
Many bus users had reported a bus showing on Transport for Ireland’s Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI), however, these buses never showed up.
The NTA, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead chiefs blamed the ‘ghost’ buses on staffing issues, while also acknowledging technical issues as a major factor.
Dublin bus stated that they require an extra 150 drivers to accommodate their routes, while Go-Ahead was short by 45 drivers.
Speaking at the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Kildare North TD Réada Cronin said that the “job hadn’t been done” by Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead, labelling Go-Ahead’s 120 route as ‘appalling’, adding that she doesn’t think they should get the contract again.
“It affects the economy, it affects your co-workers, it affects the service you’re delivering. It has a knock-on effect on absolutely everything, not to mention the stress it causes… You’re half an hour waiting for a bus if you’re ten minutes early. You’re standing in the rain for half an hour in Clane, or Prosperous, waiting for the bus. [If] the bus doesn’t show up, you’re another half hour waiting for the bus. You could be waiting an hour and ten minutes.”
Go Ahead and Dublin Bus have paid heavy fines this year, with both companies paying just under €700,000 in punctuality deductions for their Dublin services. However, Dublin Bus also received over €100,000 in punctuality incentives, putting a small dent in their bill so far this year.
Both companies combined have paid over €2.5 million in fines, while Luas have also paid a similar amount for their cancellations and lack of punctuality. Irish Rail have paid just €15,000 in punctuality fines, while they have received €291,000 in incentive payments.