It somewhat sad to see the 78A singled out in this discussion as in truth this problem is rife throughout the BAC network.

The only reason the 78A figures is because of the population density and route structure.
The most oppressive nature of the 78A problem is the lack of anwhere to run as A2000 states.

The real issue is Social/Criminal based and the extent to which the Company values its own business.
For far too long now BAC Policy has been to see itself as some form of extension of the Department of Social Welfare and of Government itself.
Thus we had the nonsensical scenario`s of mid-ranking politicians able to prevent/alter proffessional decisions simply by making a phone call to the "Top Man"
Nowhere was this more apparent than in the Post Luas Dundrum scene.
This has to stop.
The company is now at a crossroads and if it cannot focus on it`s "Ordinary" compliant orderly customers then all is lost.

On a side issue,as KD191 has already posted,the DSFA is currently in the throes of a VERY serious review of the Free Pass scheme.
It needs to be borne in mind that every Cash Fare increase knocks on into the Free Pass cost.
In addition the huge and sudden increase in persons signing on for SW benefits also brings with it a commensurate increase in Free Travel Scheme cost.
Currently the DFSA do not have ANY extra funding to allow for extra users of the Free Travel scheme,a fact which will not be lost on some operators if DFSA payment dates start to pass without the cheque dropping through the letterbox.

Unsavoury as it may be,one of the options open to the DFSA is the cessation of the current Free Travel scheme in it`s entirety and its replacement by a means-tested locally based Free Travel scheme for those UNDER 66.
I understand that Free Travel for those OVER 66 is NOT to be altered in any way although the feeling currently is that the Budgetary Review Group could if it were deemed necessary abolish many schemes formerly considered sacrosanct.

Expect to hear/read more on this sooner rather than later !