Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

It has been brought to my attention by Dublin Bus and residents in the far flung new suburbs of Dublin West that following the decision by the Minister for Transport to franchise a percentage of the Dublin Bus system to create competition, with which I agree, the delay and the manner in which new licences are offered are difficult to understand. Residents of one estate have told me that after buying a house they may have to face the choice of moving house or changing job. Failing that, they fear they will lose their current jobs because they do not have a reliable mode of transport to the city centre.

The No. 236 bus service operates around Blanchardstown town centre. Local residents and Dublin Bus want to have it extended by approximately one mile to cover Tyrrelstown. The application was submitted to the Department 11 months ago, yet no decision has been made. In the meantime people are stranded.

The town centre in my area is the focus for business, shopping and leisure activities, yet there is no direct link to it. There have been some recent improvements in the service to Tyrrelstown via Finglas but a crazy system operates elsewhere involving Dublin Bus. The company was granted a licence to extend the No. 70X service from Clonee to Littlepace and on to Huntstown. However, it was ordered not to pick up passengers at designated bus stops along the route. While this has been rescinded, such delays and decisions are unwarranted.