TD pushing for extra bus services in north Kildare despite ongoing Bus Eireann crisis

Questions surrounding the bus services operating between towns in north Kildare were raised in a Joint Oireachtas Committee on transport earlier this week when Fianna Fáil TD Frank O'Rourke pressed for better bus services on the routes serving Clane to Kilcock and Prosperous to Straffan.

The Kildare North TD said that there is enough public support for an improvement in the services, and that more services should be provided for customers travelling as far as UCD in particular.

“At the meeting, I requested a more frequent bus service serving Kilcock with Route 115 and service Clane on Route 120, in particular a better service to UCD," stated Deputy O'Rourke.

"I am confident that if more services are provided, we will attract more users for our public transport. I did receive a commitment from senior managers in Bus Eireann that an increased frequency service on both routes would be provided by March of this year.”

“Since I got elected, I have persistently pressed for better public transport services and we are making progress. Additional morning and evening Bus services for Kilcock commuters on the 115 service, funding was approved for a 100 space park and ride facility adjacent to Kilcock, a fairer fare structure for Kilcock and Naas rail commuters will now be put in place.

"I have also been campaigning for an orbital bus service linking Naas, Clane, Rathcoffey, Maynooth and Blanchardstown and this will hopefully go out to tender early this year. Improved Bus service for Celbridge Dublin Bus commuters have also been put in place."

Deputy O'Rourke concedes that the ongoing issues with Bus Eireann is of concern to large swathes of the community who use public transport, but he will continue to request an improvement on services.

“I would like to thank the Kilcock and Clane commuters who continue to contact me with suggestions for better services. I appreciate that the current financial difficulties at Bus Eireann is causing concern for our public transport users. However, I will continue to make representations on their behalf; to the NTA, Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and Irish Rail to secure further public transport services for the area. As I have said in the Dail, providing a regular and reliable public transport service will attract additional passengers and I am delighted with this latest commitment from Bus Eireann,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.