Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Martin Heydon, has received confirmation that the late services on Friday and Saturday nights will be incorporated as a permanent feature of Route 126, which forms part of the network of subsidised services provided by Bus Éireann under a public service contract with the NTA.
Deputy Heydon said: “I am delighted that the 126 Friday and Saturday night late services which runs from Dublin to Newbridge via Naas at 00.30am and 3.30am on Friday and Saturday nights will continue to for the people of Newbridge and Naas.
“As you will recall until recently Bus Éireann held a licence from the NTA to operate Route 126N as a commercial bus service.
“Following Bus Éireann’s recent commercial decision to cancel this service and the associated licence, the NTA undertook to examine whether there is a public service obligation to retain Route 126N as a socially necessary service.
“At the same time NTA approved the continuation of the late services as part of Route 126 on a temporary basis until the end of the year.
“The NTA has now concluded its examination of the matter and has determined that the late services on Friday and Saturday nights should be incorporated as a permanent feature of Route 126, which forms part of the network of subsidised services provided by Bus Éireann under a public service contract with the NTA.
“One impact of this decision is that standard fares will apply on the late services rather than the special (higher) fares previously charged on Route 126N. Free travel passes will also be accepted.”