Deputy Emer Higgins, Dublin Mid-West’s TD has welcomed the timetable changes announced by Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail which will result in improved services for local train commuters from 11th December. Deputy Higgins said: “These changes will include Twelve additional off-peak Commuter services between Newbridge and Heuston, resulting in trains every 30 minutes Monday to Friday as well as extra services between Hazelhatch and Grand Canal Dock, via Phoenix Park Tunnel on Monday to Friday.
“This should result in a more frequent service for commuters in Dublin Mid West travelling from the Clondalkin, Adamstown and Hazelhatch stations,” said Deputy Higgins. “And it’s great that they will be up and running by 11th December in time for the Christmas period when public transport can be particularly busy. Deputy Higgins added: “Public transport, particularly the bus services in our local area, is something which I am being contacted about a lot and there is much work that needs to be done to iron out problems with our local routes.
“Recently, I attended the Oireachtas Transport Committee’s special meeting on the Bus Services in Dublin and I had the opportunity to escalate directly to the NTA, Dublin Bus and Go Ahead, the issues many of us are experiencing with our bus service across Dublin Mid West. “I was told that there are 90 drivers in driving school and 100 drivers awaiting final paperwork approval before they start driving for Go Ahead and once these 190 additional bus drivers are out on the roads in 4-6 weeks time, Go Ahead expect to be able to provide an adequate service for us on their routes like the 18, 175, L51, L52 and 76,” said Deputy Higgins.
“Dublin Bus have also hired 290 new drivers this year and they are continuing to recruit so they can better serve the C Spine where buses are often full at peak times and can’t stop at every stop and also the G Spine. “I know there have also been issues with the real time bus information and the NTA informed that this was a technical issue with vehicle location but that it should now been fixed.
“The NTA also committed to looking at the logistics of a number of routes I highlighted including, the C Spine which does not serve Hillcrest or Dodsboro, the 68X which was cancelled without any notice to commuters, the P29 which I believe should start earlier, the 151 which I feel should link to Adamstown and the W6 orbital route through Newcastle which is due to commence in two halves instead of as a full route. “I think these additional rail service will be of real benefit to commuters and I will continue to raise issues with the local bus routes to make sure we are being properly service,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
