Frank O’Rourke TD has welcomed the inclusion of a proposed Park and Ride Bus Facility adjacent to Celbridge and Junction 5 on the M4 as part of the BusConnections proposal to make Bus Transport more attractive to commuters and launched by the National Transport Authority (NTA)
Deputy O’Rourke welcomed the news, having rasied the matter at a recent meeting with Dublin Bus.
“The National Transport Authority (NTA) outlined this proposal in its BusConnects Plans, which includes a suite of initiatives designed to transform bus services in the Dublin region. A Park and Ride for Bus commuters in Celbridge is included as part of its proposals.”
“I have been calling for a number of Bus Park and Ride facilities in North Kildare for some time. Funding was provided to select a Park and Ride facility in Kilcock and I continue to press the Council to finalise the plans for this facility. We need a Park and Ride for Bus Commuters in Clane.”
“However, the proposals set out in BusConnect does not capture North Kildare Bus commuters specifically. While the overall proposals will provide some advantages for Kildare bus commuters, their specific concerns, such as greater frequency for Kilcock, Maynooth and Clane are not set out in their plan. I have written to the National Transport Authority this evening to seek a meeting with them to ensure that our concerns are considered. “
“Included in the plan is; more effective bus routes, eleven radial bus corridors planned in addition to the Bus Rapid Transit Routes, three orbital bus corridors, better ticketing options and the rolling out of new bus stops with better signage and information” stated Deputy O’Rourke
“We are making progress on our public transport; we now have a fairer fare structure for Kilcock and Naas rail commuters following the inclusion of both locations in the Short Hop Zone, with Leap card enabled for Kilcock from 1st June. I am also campaigning for an orbital bus service linking Naas, Clane, Rathcoffey, Maynooth and Blanchardstown and this will hopefully go out to tender next month. Improved bus services for Kilcock, Celbridge and Leixlip are also either delivered or planned.”
“However. the commuter towns need to benefit from this €1bn investment announced by the NTA for bus commuters and I intend raising this with the NTA at my meeting”