Commuter Crunch - Day 2
Summary
This episode of Drivetime explores the "commuter crunch" in Dublin and Galway, featuring a report from Dublin Bus Central Control on how controllers manage traffic, protests, and antisocial behavior that cause "ghost buses." Dublin Bus CEO Billy Han discusses persistent congestion, the slow rollout of Bus Connects, and plans for a new tracking system and transport security force. Meanwhile, reporter John Cook highlights Galway’s traffic woes, the delayed Ring Road, and local campaigns for a light rail system.
Topics discussed
Introduction to the commuter crunch and Dublin Bus report
How controllers monitor routes and handle ghost buses
Scale of operations and challenges with bus lane congestion
Impact of anti-social behaviour on bus services
Handling bus breakdowns and maintenance logistics
Listener feedback on full and unreliable Dublin buses
Galway commuter experiences and traffic bottlenecks
Galway Ring Road plans and commuter coalition views
The Gluis light rail campaign for Galway
Interview with Dublin Bus CEO Billy Han on capacity
Bus Connects programme and reliability statistics
Driver shortages and the ghost bus tracking system
New tracking system rollout and driver handover delays
Plans for a Transport Security Force on public transport
Student commuters in Dublin and train capacity issues
Listener complaints about bus cancellations and tracking
Maeve on inadequate bus timetables in Canvara, Galway
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