Mixed reactions to new bus timetable for Kildare

There have been mixed reactions from political representatives in relation to a new bus timetable which aims to assist commuters in North Kildare.

The new W6 timetable, which was launched on Monday, December 1 last by Go-Ahead Ireland, follows months of complaints from commuters in Maynooth, Celbridge and other North Kildare regions about unreliable evening services and cancellations.

It also comes following discussions between Go-Ahead Ireland, the Department of Transport and a number of local representatives.

One representative who cautiously welcomed the news was Social Democrats (SD) TD for Kildare North, Aidan Farrelly, who told the Leinster Leader: "While I welcome the news from Go-Ahead Ireland, we must see improvements in practice, not just on paper.

"My office has noticed a significant increase in complaints from bus users across the network of services in Kildare, and my concerns is that operators have taken buses and drivers from Kildare-based routes and allocated them in Dublin or other locations.

"People are being left at bus stops, with services being cancelled at the last second; that's unacceptable."

He added: "An improved timetable should be judged only on how it is implemented, specifically as people will be using the services over the Christmas period."

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Another Social Democrats representative, councillor Nuala Killeen of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District (MD), also said about the new timetable: "The W6 was a much awaited orbital service merging the W61 and W62 and in the past year has demonstrated successful connectivity. 

"It is disappointing that the opportunity to increase frequency at peak times was not taken; it is important to provide efficient and reliable public transport options and to deliver trustworthy services, [so that] buses that turn up."

She also said that she hopes that "an improvement of the service with no gaps will be delivered".

In addition, a separate SD councillor, Claire O'Rourke (also of the Celbridge-Leixlip MD), told the Leader that she welcomed the news.

However, she stressed: "As the saying  goes, 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating', so the operation of the timetable has yet to be tested."

'CONTINUING ISSUE'

Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney of the Clane-Maynooth MD also weighed in on the matter —she said: "[It is] welcome to see, but we will need to see how it works in practice.

"Also, ghost buses and buses running but not tracking is a continuing issue that needs to be addressed."

She further said: "People really want to use public transport but cannot depend on it to get to and from work or college on time, so making improvements that ensure the service is reliable and dependable, that's what commuters really want to see."

In addition, Fianna Fáil Cllr Donna Phelan (also of the Clane-Maynooth MD) said about the new timetable: "I welcome the announcement from Go-Ahead Ireland regarding the updated W6 timetable.

"For months, I have been highlighting the serious issues faced by residents and students particularly around school finishing times when the 16:11 service simply never arrived.

"It had effectively become a 'ghost bus', leaving young people and families stranded."

And while Cllr Phelan said that the timetable adjustment was "a positive step", she also stressed: "It is crucial now that Go-Ahead delivers on it consistently.

"I also want to sincerely thank my colleague, TD Naoise Ó Cearúil, whose continued pressure at Cabinet level and representations in the Dáil directly contributed to achieving this solution."

Cllr Phelan concluded: "Reliable, dependable public transport is essential for our community, and I will continue to monitor the service to ensure these commitments are met."

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'NEW SERVICES NEED TIME'

Her party colleague, Cllr David Trost (of the Celbridge-Leixlip MD), also said: "As a regular bus user, I was aware of the issues on this service, and I welcome any changes that bring about a more robust service."

Cllr Trost added: "New services need time to establish themselves and changes are often needed to improve the service."

Lastly, Sinn Féin TD for Kildare North, Réada Cronin, had plenty to say about both the updated timetable and Go-Ahead as an organisation: "While attempts at reforms made to problems arising from the W6 bus are to be welcomed, issues more broadly with Go-Ahead have been rife.

"Many of my constituents have been in touch with me since the new system has been put in place complaining about the service.

"More broadly, Go-Ahead services have been shambolic, and the decision to award them with another only recently is very concerning."

"Commuters experience severe delays, or their buses are cancelled altogether; the reality is that the private bus service model is failing to deliver.

"Sinn Féin have expressed concern about this arrangement from the outset; I take no pleasure in this stance being vindicated."  

She concluded: "Hopefully, we will see an improvement in the W6 service following this announcement, but the rewarding of a long-term five-year contract for Go-Ahead cannot currently be justified."

The full W6 timetable can be viewed here.

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.