The return of schools is likely to ‘put additional pressure’ on public transport services, says NTA chief

THE RETURN FROM SCHOOLS tomorrow “will likely lead to additional pressure” on public transport services, as capacity remains reduced to 25% due to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, said the executive director of the National Authority of Transportation (NTA).

In a statement this morning, the NTA said that public transportation should only be used for essential travel and that customers should avoid peak travel hours.

In accordance with government Level 5 restrictions, public transportation capacity is currently restricted to 25%.

The NTA said this has put some services under great pressure and passengers are left behind in some cases.

The problem is most acute on early morning buses, particularly in the Dublin region, the NTA said.

Schools are scheduled to reopen tomorrow after midterm break.

“The return of schools on Monday is likely to create additional pressure. We look forward to making sure customers are aware of the situation, ”said NTA Executive Director Anne Graham.

“The NTA asks people to avoid rush hour travel and only use public transportation for essential purposes,” Graham said.

No one wants to see a situation where essential workers, like those on the front lines of healthcare, can’t get on a bus.

“People who can work from home should work from home. We continue to encourage people to walk or bike whenever possible, ”he said.

“Customers who have no alternative to public transportation should expect their trips to be longer and plan ahead accordingly.”

Graham added that “drivers and other public transportation personnel are working in a very challenging environment, and customers must respect them at all times.”