Kildare South Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon has said that his proposal to Minister for Transport Shane Ross to extend certain rural transport bus routes to run at later times over weekends would include existing and popular routes from Newbridge to Athy in Kildare and Portarlington to Emo in Co. Laois.

“As Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party I have been working on a proposal to extend existing rural bus routes operated by Local Link companies around the Country, in a bid to address the issue of social isolation.  The proposal which would run on a pilot basis for a year includes the popular route serving Athy – Newbridge operated by Kildare South Dublin Local Link which started last August.

“This route currently operates 3 times daily serving Athy, Kilberry, Kildangan, Nurney, Kildare Village, Kildare Town and Newbridge. Under the proposal the route would now cotinine to run later on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings with the last departure at 22.40.

“One of the advantages of the proposal is that the route is established and has built up a customer base, the capital costs of the bus have already been invested so providing the additional routes would not incur significant capital costs.

“Kildare South Dublin Local Link also hope that they could extend their service to incorporate a hackney service for local residents who live close to the route but not on the exact road, to link them in with the service.

“Minister for Transport Shane Ross is considering my proposal of nationwide routes which was submitted on behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

 

The attached spreadsheet shows the list of routes that are included in the proposal nationwide including the Athy – Newbridge Route in Co. Kildare and 3 routes in Co. Laois.

TCU AreaRoute IDAREA ServedAdditional ServicesExtra Trip per weekLast Departure TimeCurrent Last Departure
Kildare South DublinSK01Athy to NewbridgeThurs, Fri, Sat 12  2240 1740

Cork 253 Kinsale – Clonakilty Thurs, Fri Sat 12   2300   2005

Cork 245C Mitchelstown – Fermoy  Thurs Fri Sat 12 2330 2100

Kerry DRT  Bonane to Kenmare Friday 2 2300  1600
Kerry DRT  The Glen Ballinskelligs  Saturday  2   2300  2300
Kerry DRT   Moyvane Area  Saturday  2  2300  1500
Kerry  DRT  Ballyduff Area  Friday 2  2300  1530
Kerry DRT  Causeway  Saturday  2  2300  1430
Kerry DRT  Ballyferriter Area  Sunday  2  2300  1700
Kerry DRT  Camp Area  Saturday  2  2300  1830
Kerry DRT  Curow Firries Area  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1600
Kerry DRT  Sneem Area  Saturday / Sunday  4 2300  1500
Kerry  DRT  Ballylongford  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1600
Kerry DRT  Kilflynn/ Abbeydorney  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1500
Kerry DRT  Tarbert Area  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1600
Kerry  DRT  Kilgarven  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1500
Kerry  DRT  Portmagee / Valentia Island  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1600
Kerry DRT  Lixnaw  Saturday / Sunday  4  2300  1500

Limerick  2357  Ballyrogan to Chrleville  Fri Sat Sun  9 2300  1745

Limerick 3101  Newcastlewest Circular  Fri Sat Sun  9  2200  1500
Donegal  TBC

Waterford  363   Tallow to dungarvan  Fri Sat Sun  12  2200  1800