Aircoach has announced a number of cutbacks to its Dublin and Wicklow services to and from Dublin Airport, due to what the company says is declining demand.
From 2 March, the 700 route will just operate between Dublin Airport and Leopardstown and will no longer serve Galloping Green, Foxrock, Cabinteely, Cornelscourt or Cherrywood.
Meanwhile the 701 route will become the 700X, providing a shuttle service between Dublin Airport and the city centre, with the Ballsbridge and St Vincent's Hospital stops now being served by Route 702.
As part of the changes, the 702 route will operate between Dublin Airport and Dalkey, serving the 3Arena, Ballsbridge, St Vincent’s Hospital, Booterstown, Monkstown, Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey via the Port Tunnel.
However, it will no longer serve Loughlinstown, Shankill, Bray or Greystones.
Aircoach said the changes are being made to maintain and enhance services where the greatest demand is, and to improve the punctuality and reliability of services.
Last year Aircoach announced a significant expansion to its services, going from 152 daily services to 217.
But it said anticipated passenger growth to match the expansion has not materialised.
In relation to the cuts to Bray and Greystones services, the company said these routes have been experiencing low and declining passenger numbers in recent years and are currently not viable.
It added that average passenger numbers for the discontinued stops are now in the low single digits, and that journey times had increased due to traffic congestion.
This means the services have become less attractive than alternatives such as DART or train services to the city centre with onward travel to Dublin airport.
Anyone with an existing booking to travel to/from one of the discontinued stops on 2 March or thereafter will receive a full refund.
