Council to write to NTA over 'unreliable' Kildare bus route
Cllr Claire O'Rourke (SD) raised issues with the 120 route at a recent MD meeting
Kildare County Council is to write to the National Transport Authority (NTA) over the “ongoing and unacceptable” capacity and reliability issues at Celbridge on the Route 120 (Edenderry to Dublin) bus service.
The move comes on foot of a motion tabled by Cllr Claire O’Rourke (SD) at a recent Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District meeting, who cited difficulties particularly at peak times on the route, including reports of passengers being unable to board at Celbridge due to overcrowding.
Cllr O'Rourke, in her motion, called for “immediate measures” to increase frequency and improve service provision of the 120 route.
Speaking at the meeting, she said the impetus for her motion came from contact with local constituents who had negative experiences trying to get to hospital appointments using the 120 route.
Cllr O'Rourke explained that when one particular constituent tried to board the bus, it was full, with “around 20 people waiting”, and none of them able to board.
She said that this is a frequent occurrence with the 120 route, and particularly for people attending hospital or other important appointments.
The constituent in question was forced to take a taxi to their hospital appointment, with Cllr O'Rourke pointing out that “not everybody is able to afford that.”
Cllr O'Rourke said she would appreciate support for her motion to contact the NTA and request greater capacity on the route.
Supporting the motion, Cathaoirleach Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB), said it was “sad” when people relied on public transport for important appointments, only to find the service was unavailable.
He said it was “unacceptable” for a service that people are so dependent on should fail to meet their needs, and instead be “unreliable.”
Also supporting the motion, Cllr Declan Ryan (FG) said that of all the councillors, he was the one who probably used the 120 most, and he had been “caught out twice myself, to be honest with you.”
Cllr Ryan explained that the 120 route began in Covid times, and soon became “a great success.”
However, in the intervening years, population growth has meant that demand for the service has also grown, he said.
Cllr Ryan added that the operator had two types of vehicle, a single-deck bus and a double-deck bus, and that it was time for the operator to avail of the double-deck bus to better meet demand.
Following discussion in the council, it was agreed to write to the National Transport Authority on the matter.