Dart shuttle link off the road once again

January 1987

THE ancient shuttle that serves as a link between Greystones and the Dart has once again failed to turn up for duty after the holidays.

It was not working on Friday or Saturday last week and on Monday when it was still off people were expressing their worries and fears.

The CIE press office said on Monday that there had been mechanical trouble, as was to be expected as it was very old, but it would be back in service on Tuesday.

On Tuesday it was still out, and many travellers no longer believe the assurances of CIE.

Rumour now has it that it will be off for at least three weeks and maybe will be taken off altogether.

CIE deny this saying that they have no intention of taking away the shuttle link, but passengers remain unconvinced.

The situation is particualrly acute with the return to work and the opening of schools. .

Many Greystones children travel to schools out of the town.

There are about 50 girls attending the Holy Child Convent in Killiney, while others attend Newpark, St Michaels, Blackrock and St Andrew’s.

Most mornings something in the region of 800 travel on the shuttle and the ARklow express.

CIE have laid on a double decker bus to ferry passengers between Greystones and Bray, but it cannot cope with the crowds and inevitably some are left behind,

There is also the worry in people’s minds as to how an over-crowded bus is going to get up Windgates Hill on the first frosty morning.

This was always the scene of abandoned cars and halted buses at the first sign of poor weather.

The Rail Action Group and the Town Commissioners have had several meetings with CIE asking for a new rail car, but Government funds are not forthcoming.

Late on Tuesday CIE said that repairs were taking longer than expected, but that they hoped to resume services with the shuttle on Thursday.