Expanded Services for Athy and Rathangan

 

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister Martin Heydon has welcomed confirmation of a permanent bus route between Kilcullen and Newbridge.  The route was included in the the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which was launched by Minister Eamon Ryan and the National Transport Authority today.

 

“The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan also includes bus routes serving Athy, Rathangan, Sallins, Ballymore and Baltinglass. Improving rural transport is a key priority of this Government.  The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, launched in 2021, has already played a key role in towns and villages across Ireland, providing people with new choices to travel by bus.

 

“After the Kilcullen Newbridge route was suspended by the independent provider last year I along with Cllr. Tracey O Dwyer campaigned for a permanent solution, funded by Government, to improve the public transport options for residents in Kilcullen in particular. Confirmation of the route in this plan today now allows the full tender of the route to take place.

 

“The success of existing local link routes such as that expanded into local villages Narraghmore and Calverstown last year shows that where buses are provided in local areas, passengers will use them.

 

“The plan includes a new route connecting Rathangan to Athy and Kildare which myself and Cllr Mark Stafford have worked for. This route when operational in Quarter 3 will provide important links to rail and retail in Athy and Kildare for residents of Rathangan.  A new route from Sallins to Baltinglass will enhance options for those on this route which is expected to include Naas and Ballymore.

 

“The provision of regular, reliable and accessible buses in local rural areas will help to connect rural communities and expand the services that can be offered in these areas.

 

“Both myself and Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer welcome today’s inclusion of the Kilcullen Newbridge route in the plans and look forward to seeing the permanent route for Kilcullen and other Kildare towns go to tender in the near future”, concluded Minister Heydon.