Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
14. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport to intervene and arrange a meeting with the NTA with public representatives and a resident representation regarding the removal of several bus routes in Dublin (details supplied), as to date the NTA has refused to do so. [42970/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he stands over the NTA’s refusal to meet public representatives and residents following a request from this Deputy to meet the NTA before it attempts to implement changes to bus services (details supplied). [42973/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 64 together.
I’m informed by the National Transport Authority that it wrote to the Deputy on this matter a year ago and made a commitment to meet with public representatives before making the changes referred to in the Deputy’s question. NTA has informed me that they are happy to undertake a review of the proposals for the particular area before progressing this particular phase of BusConnects any further, and that they would be happy to brief local public representatives to this effect.
The proposed changes form part of the BusConnects programme which is the largest ever investment in bus services and infrastructure in the history of the State. A number of phases of the new BusConnects services have already been rolled out and these new services have recorded impressive passenger numbers since their introduction.
As part of this roll-out, Route 13 from Grange Castle and Clondalkin to the city centre is proposed to be replaced by new BusConnects routes D1 and D3. These will the city centre via the Crumlin “D-spine” rather than via Inchicore. Routes 68 and 69 will also be replaced, in the case of route 69 by a similar new route 58 which will continue to serve Inchicore. These changes are planned to be introduced in the latter part of 2024.
I understand that the NTA is aware of concerns raised around the reduction in bus frequency along the Tyrconnell Road through Inchicore and I think the approach outlined by the NTA in its previous correspondence, and reiterated to my Department in recent days, to meet with public representatives before any changes are introduced is welcome. Given the timelines involved there is clearly an opportunity for further engagement on the issue and I’d encourage the Deputy to engage with the NTA on the matter.
