A dedicated bus service for this Kildare town is being explored

A bus service operating within Naas is needed.

The call for a town bus operation linking the Piper’s Hill area, near Kilcullen Road, to the railway station in Sallins was made by Cllr Carmel Kelly at a Naas Municipal District meeting.

Cllr Kelly said a dedicated bus lane is also required and and service would also operate in areas like the Blessington Road, which has seen significant residential development.

Kildare County Council official Jonathan Hennessy said this is being discussed with the National Transport Authority.

Mayor Seamie Moore said that the planned changes to roads and streets should be abandoned.

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Instead he said money should be invested to provide a townwide public bus service to reduce the number of short journeys taken by car so people can visit the train station, go to work as well as going to “schools, hospitals, bus terminals and social destinations.”

He also said car parks should be provided outside the town centre.

In a report, KCC engineer Dónal Hodgins said it is important to “provide multiple solutions” to reduce transport emissions caused by congestion  and the increasing demand for trips. He added walking, cycling and public transport use are necessary “and should be prioritised over investment in private car-based initiatives.”

He said a successful bus service will require “bus priority measures” in Naas and that this does not preclude investment in public and projects to promote walking and cycling.