Thousands of bus passengers all over Cork were hit by delays as protesters blockaded the Capwell Bus Depot this morning, writes Padraig Hoare.

Protestors blocked the entrance to the depot from 5am, voicing their anger that Bus Éireann had changed the 202 route in Mahon.

It meant that buses did not leave the depot while the protesters voiced their anger, with an estimated 2,000 bus users affected during the morning.

The buses finally started their morning service at about 7.30am when protesters and Bus Éireann agreed to meet tomorrow morning to discuss the changes to the 202 route.

Residents claim that the changes are leaving parts of the Skehard Road unserviced. They say that local businesses are suffering as a result of the drop in passing trade, as well as leaving down people who rely on the bus every day.

Former Lord Mayor and protester, Cllr Chris O’Leary, said: “Sadly we feel we had to be here since 5am this morning to highlight what is going on.

“We don’t like it that 2,000 people were discommoded but we were not being taken seriously for months. We had said we were in it for the long haul if needs be, and residents are prepared to do it every day unless they are listened to. People are very angry.

“It goes as far back as June when a poster was put on a pole telling people of the changes. There was absolutely no public consultation.”

This morning’s action follows similar protests in Ballyphehane and Farranree over changes to the 203 service.

Changes to the route have seen the removal of two stops from the route in Ballyphehane, which will instead be served by the less frequent 209A.

A similar situation has occurred on the northside of the city, with the 203 bus removed from Popham’s Road. Bus Éireann chiefs in Cork say the changes were done to “streamline” services.

This article first appeared on the Evening Echo website.