Call to extend bus service to Baltinglass District Hospital

 

Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has written to the NTA asking for them to extend the 885 Local Link bus service to include Baltinglass District Hospital.

 “The 885 bus route travels from Sallins to Baltinglass, collecting passengers from a number of towns and villages along the way including Naas, Blessington, Dunlavin and Stratford. This route has been very successful and since its introduction last year the NTA have increased the frequency of the service to meet demand,” commented Deputy Whitmore.

 “I have been contacted by several constituents who have asked about the possibility of extending the bus route slightly to include Baltinglass District Hospital. At present the 885 terminates at Baltinglass Primary Health Care Centre, approximately 2.5km from the hospital. It is over half an hour walk from the current bus stop to Baltinglass District Hospital which is too far for some patients and visitors,” explained Ms Whitmore.

 “I have written to the NTA to ask them to consider extending the 885 bus route slightly to include the hospital so that patients and visitors have the option of using public transport to get there. The introduction of a new bus stop at the hospital would also provide a public transport option for members of the community wishing to get from one end of the town to the other.”

 “Baltinglass District Hospital has recently received approval to develop a new nursing unit and day-care centre, so there will be an increase in people accessing services here, creating even more demand for a public transport option. This minor extension of an existing, popular bus route will help to make getting the bus a viable and accessible option for more people in the Baltinglass community and I am strongly urging the NTA to introduce this new bus stop as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy Whitmore.