James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

6 o’clock

I note that this is the second time Deputy Heydon and I have drawn attention to a public transport issue in Kildare in as many weeks. I did not get the chance on the previous occasion to say I agreed with Deputy Heydon's remarks on the extension of the train service to Newbridge, taking the pressure off Sallins and other stations further up the line so I take the opportunity to do so now.

To turn to today's issue, the 126N Nightrider service to Naas, Newbridge and beyond is very useful and popular. It is a self-evident service. It gets people home after a few drinks or a late night in town. It operates at 12.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m., later than the normal services. I have used it on occasion, although not in recent times. I spoke overnight and this morning to many people who use it regularly and I am told it is extremely popular and, in fact, generally oversubscribed. It is very difficult to get back to Kildare after a night out without the service. I recently spoke to people who had to travel via the airport, a very convoluted route. There are certain other options but they are very convoluted, involve a number of stops in between and are not easy to take. The benefits of the services are self-evident and close to the Minister's heart. For example, having people ferried home by public transport after a night on the town means they will choose not to drink and drive, which is surely a public policy goal, as is encouraging people to use public transport in the first place. The reason advanced for cancellation, that the service was not commercially viable, does not seem to stack up. As I said, a significant number of people use the service and, given the clamour today and yesterday when this decision was announced, it is clear there is a ready-made market for it. I do not buy Bus Éireann's explanation.

Deputy Heydon referred to the manner in which the announcement was made. Eight Oireachtas Members from Kildare last week had a meeting with the NTA at which this decision was not even mentioned. I am not ascribing blame to the individuals involved, but surely in terms of communications that was a golden opportunity to have this discussion. However, rather than doing so or having any kind of consultation with Oireachtas Members, councillors, member of the public or, most important, the users of the service, a tweet was sent out yesterday evening after close of business. I appreciate there has been some degree of roll-back and that Bus Éireann now says the service will operate until Christmas. This is better than nothing and, coming into the busy Christmas period, the service will certainly be in great demand. What is the plan for the period after Christmas? Is this part of the Go-Ahead takeover? Is there a subvention opportunity? Will the NTA take ownership of the plan in 2019? Where do we go next?

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