[08 Jan 2026] – I want to provide you all with an update on the ongoing public transport issues in the greater Lucan and Adamstown area, and what steps are being taken to address them.
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) initially informed Councillors this week that we would have an opportunity to submit user feedback to Dublin Bus ahead of a meeting originally scheduled for Monday 12th January 2026. Many of you responded quickly and in detail to my shout-out to gather up-to-date feedback; thank you. The responses grouped themselves around a number of themes, which I’ve extracted below. This meeting has now been cancelled by Dublin Bus and in the meantime, we have been given a dedicated elected representative email that I will be forwarding each and every bit of feedback to over the coming week (anonymised). I will also continue to add your feedback to the main list of summary points for consideration, so keep the emails coming to me at hfarrell@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie, if it is not already represented in the list below.
This work builds on the survey “Bus Correct” that Paul Gogarty, TD, ran in 2023-24 when he was in the role of Councillor, and subsequent lobbying he has done since, to secure better planning, reliability, and accessibility in public transport for Lucan & Adamstown. As you know, Paul co-opted me into his seat, and I continue to work closely with him on this and many local issues.
SUMMARY OF MAIN ISSUES WITH DUBLIN BUS IN LUCAN & ADAMSTOWN: JANUARY 2025
- Reliability problems: “phantom” buses disappearing from the TFI app, services marked “scheduled” that never arrive, buses cancelled without notice, and RTPI signs (like Chalet Gardens) out of order for months.
- Overcrowding: buses, particularly C1, C2, C3, C4, L54 and P29, frequently full before key stops such as Lucan Village, Penny Hill, Woodies, Ballyowen and Adamstown. Students and commuters are regularly left behind.
- School transport failures: L54 service to Confey College / Leixlip is overcrowded, unreliable, and sometimes misses critical school start and finish times, leaving students standing in poor weather or requiring parents to drive them.
- Lost or insufficient routes: withdrawal of Route 25 affected Dodsboro, Hillcrest and Adamstown; P29 and 52 services are too infrequent; L51 and L54 have insufficient frequency to meet demand.
- Connectivity gaps: lack of direct links to Liffey Valley (not just the N4), Red Cow Luas, Clondalkin, the Airport, Tallaght, Sandyford and St. James’s Hospital / National Children’s Hospital.
- Journey times and passenger experience: long travel times, buses passing stops full, antisocial behaviour on board, and concerns over driving safety on some services.
Update on next steps: Today [08 Jan 2026], SDCC confirmed that Dublin Bus have cancelled the January meeting. However, there is hopefully a more positive and impactful opportunity ahead. We have been told by SDCC that the National Transport Authority (NTA) intends to hold workshops for Councillors, perhaps at the end of February 2026. The NTA has the authority to create or adjust routes, schedules, and capacity. All of the feedback you provided will be formally presented at this workshop, if I am permitted.
At that time, I will raise the need for:
- Increased frequency on high-demand routes, including 52, L51, L54, and P29.
- Reliable and guaranteed school transport services for Confey College and other local schools.
- Restoration or replacement of Route 25 for Dodsboro, Hillcrest, and Adamstown.
- Direct connections to hospitals, the airport, shopping centres, and key employment hubs.
- Improved weekend and off-peak services to support workers, students, and families.
Your experiences, from phantom buses to overcrowding, cancellations, and connectivity gaps, will all be flagged with the NTA. I will report back after the February workshops with updates on planned actions and improvements.
For ongoing updates, please follow my Facebook page or check back here for rolling updates.
Councillor Helen Farrell
Independent – Lucan.
SDCC
Cllr Helen Farrell 