Broken Windows and No Air-Con: Passengers Slam 'Luxury' Dublin Coach Service

Passengers on the Dublin Coach service, particularly the 726 route from Dublin Airport to Portlaoise via Newbridge, have raised serious concerns about the state of the buses.

These are the images of a bus that takes passengers from Dublin Airport to Portlaoise via Newbridge.

The National Transport Authority, who provides Dublin Coach service with a licence, has been asked to attend the next council meeting to determine if the buses are inspected on a regular basis.

Passengers on the Dublin Coach service, particularly the 726 route from Dublin Airport to Portlaoise via Newbridge, have raised serious concerns about the state of the buses.

Reports from multiple passengers indicate significant issues with the heating, ventilation, and general maintenance of the vehicles.

Passenger Pauline Murray described her experience on Kildare Today, noting that the heating was on full blast to the point that it became unbearable, particularly as there were no windows on the bus.

The air conditioning was also non-functional, with one skylight window completely broken and another near the driver's area propped open with a plastic bottle filled with blue liquid.

"I don't pay for it because I'm a pensioner, but people are paying 60 euros a week for this service," she said.

In response to these concerns, Dublin Coach has been contacted for a statement, but no response has been received as of yet.

Pauline said passengers have noted that these issues are exacerbated by the fact that the company advertises itself as offering a "luxury" travel experience.

Social Democrats Councillor Bill Clear also voiced concerns, stating that these issues are not isolated.

He said he has seen buses breaking down and has heard from many constituents who share similar experiences.

He criticised the company for the poor condition of its fleet, calling it "atrocious" and highlighting that it reflects poorly on the country, particularly for tourists who may use the service upon arriving in Ireland.

In an email sent to the NTA, Clear said: "Dublin Coach operates several buses through Naas and County Kildare, under a licence from the NTA. Are these buses regularly inspected for quality and safety? I've received numerous complaints from passengers who have been left stranded due to breakdowns of these old buses."

He added: "The buses are reportedly filthy and rarely taken off the road. In one instance, a passenger got off the bus in Naas, heard a loud bang, and noticed that brake parts were left on the ground as the bus drove away. Alarms are constantly going off on these vehicles. I've also received reports that during Revenue and RSA checkpoints, buses have been stopped and passengers disembarked due to safety concerns."

He said the NTA are expected to address a full council meeting in two weeks time.