Transport | Co Kildare Bus service overcrowding

To ask the Minister for Transport if the bus service from Naas via Sallins and Maynooth to Blanchardstown can be augmented given that the bus is heavily overcrowded forcing passengers at peak times to stand for the whole journey; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

E

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s specific question in relation to the bus service from Naas via Sallins and Maynooth to Blanchardstown, to the NTA for directly reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days. 

I am writing to you concerning the matter you raised in Parliamentary Question No 203 on 20 October last which has been referred to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for reply.
From the 19th of October, the following additional capacity will be provided on the route for the remainder of the term:

Retention of the 2 supplementary services currently operating during college term:

• 07:00 Naas to Blanchardstown
• 17:00 Blanchardstown to Naas is supplemented by an additional capacity bus from Maynooth to Naas, departing Maynooth at 17:45.

Provision of the following additional supplementary buses on the following trips during college term:

• 07:00 Blanchardstown to Naas
•  09:00 Naas to Maynooth
•  15:00 Blanchardstown to Naas is supplemented by an additional capacity bus from Maynooth to Naas, departing Maynooth at 15:45

The Authority will keep this under review and any extension of the supplementary services beyond this term will be subject to funding availability