‘This decision was not made lightly’: Popular private bus service to remove stops in Kildare

A popular private bus service will remove stops in Kildare for its 717 route.

JJ Kavanagh & Sons has said that, starting from next week, the following stops will no longer be serviced by its 717 route: Kilcullen (The Hideout); Naas (Poplar Pharmacy / Post Office); and Athy (The Castle Inn / Woodstock).

Explaining the changes, a spokesperson for JJ Kavanagh & Sons shared the following announcement with the Leinster Leader: "We understand that the recent changes to Route 717 will impact some passengers, and we want to ensure this decision was not made lightly.

"As NTA Local Link and Rural Services grow, we have seen a significant decline in passenger numbers at certain bus stops on this route, making it unviable to continue to service some of these stops."

The spokesperson continued: "These changes take effect on April 7, 2025, and we are committed to advising our passengers of alternative services.

"For instance, passengers from Athy, Ballylynan, Crettyard, and Castlecomer may wish to explore the TFI R897 Timetable. Passengers travelling to and from Naas can check out the Dublin, Kildare, and Portlaoise rail services. 

"We appreciate your understanding as we strive to optimise our services based on passenger needs."

The spokesperson also maintained that the goal of JJ Kavanagh & Sons is to ensure that it "can continue to provide cost-effective, comfortable, and safe service" to its passengers effectively.

"We will continue to review our services to meet the needs of our network best," the spokesperson concluded.

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