Kildare councillor: Jobs are at risk due to ‘awkward’ bus times

People's jobs are being put on the line due to awkward bus hours.

That's according to Fianna Fáil councillor Suzanne Doyle, who made the comments at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on Wednesday, October 18 last.

Cllr Doyle's party colleague, leas Cathaoirleach Anne Connolly, put forward the following motion at the meeting: "that this MD make a submission to the National Transport Authority (NTA) seeking prioritisation to support a bus service to Suncroft, Carna and surrounding areas that might link in with public transport networks in neighbouring towns."

Kildare County Council (KCC) responded to her motion by saying that with the members agreement, the council's Transport Department could write to the NTA regarding the request.

Cllr Connolly said that she accepted the report, while Cllr Doyle added: "It is great to see the NTA coming here with aspirations, but they also need to be realistic."

She suggested running the draft of the letter by KCC engineer Donal Hodgins first.

Fianna Fáil councillor Suzanne Doyle.

Cllr Doyle further said: "The number of calls that I have received from people saying that their work is at risk due to the time-tabling in this area is phenomenal."

She also suggested that the NTA could hold consultation clinics with local representatives twice a year, in a similar matter as Uisce Éireann runs consultation clinics.

Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Duffy and Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender also supported the argument made by Cllr Doyle, with Cllr Pender adding: "The times are awkward for students travelling on this route too.

"There needs to be a cohesive, holistic approach (applied) here."

At the end of the motion, the councillors ultimately agreed to send a letter to the NTA.