Minister Ross lobbies officials over upheaval to bus routes

SHANE Ross is lobbying transport officials over plans to reform Dublin’s Bus services.

The Transport Minister said the BusConnects proposals were worrying his constituents.

He told the National Transport Authority the route changes would affect residents who rely on services to the city centre, airport, work, schools, hospitals and Dart stations.

Mr Ross complained in a written submission to a public consultation over the Dublin-wide changes.

The Dublin-Rathdown TD launched the BusConnects public transport shake-up in May last year in his role as transport minister.

Nearly 18 months on he told the consultation that more than 600 schoolchildren were concerned by the proposed cancellation of services on Upper Kilmacud Road as were commuters who rely on the Ticknock to Sandyford bus.

The village of Glencullen would have its public transport services removed by the proposals.

Mr Ross wrote: ‘This is of huge concern to locals who rely on this bus service. It is important this oversight be reviewed so the residents of Glencullen, Ballyedmonduff and Barnacullia are not isolated. This is vital for the local community.’

He also noted Enniskerry residents outlined fears that their connection to Dundrum, the city centre and Dublin City University would be severed, describing ‘wide scale concern’, and emphasised that local commercial activity and daily commutes would be negatively impacted.

The redesign could be implemented in Dublin as early as late 2019.

The NTA has said the BusConnects revamp ‘can potentially transform Dublin’s bus system... so that when it comes to speed, punctuality, reliability and convenience, journeys by bus can be better than ever before.

‘BusConnects will... allow bus commuting to become a more viable and attractive choice for employees, families, students, shoppers and visitors.’