Answers Sought After A Terrifying Bus Incident Resembling A Scene "From A Film" Left Locals On 115 Bus Route Stranded On M4

Allen Parker of Bus Éireann has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

In the wake of a recent terrifying bus incident on the M4 motorway, a Kildare TD has queried inadequate response times - with claims that locals were left stranded for two hours.  

Described as like a "scene from a film", the passengers travelling on the 115 bus route could not get the front door of the bus open after it veered across the road into the middle of the dual carriageway.

"The driver managed to keep the bus from going on to the other side of the road which was marvellous because that could have been catastrophic. There seemed to be no health and safety organisation.The Garda never came out. The passengers could not get the front door open," said Kildare North TD Reada Cronin.

She added: "It was like something one would see in a film. This was during busy rush hour traffic at 5.30 p.m. on a Tuesday evening and passengers had to disembark from the bus and cross the motorway."

She claimed that Gardai were not called and that no proper safety instructions were given to passengers.

"I know the residents of Kilcock have been agitated and have activated themselves greatly in order to get extra bus services put on for the 115 route. Surely to God there is a spare bus that could have been sent out to pick up passengers so they would not be left for two hours when something like that happens? Thank God it was not raining but it was a cool enough evening for people to be standing on the side of a motorway," Cronin said.

Allen Parker of Bus Éireann has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Parker said traffic congestion caused long delays for alternative transport.

Cronin claimed that passengers bound for Maynooth were assisted within an hour while those headed to Kilcock were left waiting for two hours.

Parker said: "We used another bus that was coming. Two different buses moved the passengers. Our maintenance team were deployed immediately, as was one of our supervisors from Broadstone. They got there as quickly as they could given the traffic congestion in the area. We are treating the incident very seriously and we are investigating it. As I said, we got to the customers are quickly as we could to get them moved and to their destination."

In relation to gardaí not attending the scene, Parker said he is not sure if "they were in attendance."

He said: "Thankfully, there was no damage to the vehicle and no injuries to customers. We are sorry for the delay involved. As I said, the investigation will determine what other actions we may need to take or follow up on."

In relation to managing the incident, he said "there were significant traffic delays."

He added: "I was coming the other way and saw the delays all the way back in towards Liffey Valley. Getting a vehicle to the scene was the first challenge. The passengers were moved. It did take some time to move them. They were moved onto other buses, another 115."

Deputy Cronin said she has still not received a response Bus Eireann.

Kfm has contacted Bus Eireann for further comment.