Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has plans to ensure an increase in public transport routes in and out of university towns such as Maynooth, which has many students that commute daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14623/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, I am responsible for public transport policy and overall funding, but I am not involved in daily operations. The National Transport Authority (NTA) holds statutory responsibility for delivering and managing public transport services, including timetabling and coordination with operators.

At a policy level, and as stated in the Programme for Government, this Government remains firmly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and sustainable mobility options. Public transport is central to achieving this goal. I have engaged with the NTA on a range of issues, including capacity needs across public transport services, and I fully understand the public’s need for dependable services, especially regarding timetables and capacity.

The NTA is working to improve transport connectivity nationwide, including in university towns such as Maynooth. A key initiative in this regard is the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which aims to enhance services in rural areas and key towns across the country. The plan involves adding new high-frequency routes, improving existing services, and better integrating local services with the broader transport network.

Since January 2022, over 150 new or enhanced Connecting Ireland bus routes have been launched, providing more frequent and affordable travel options. This expansion supports students and staff commuting to universities like Maynooth. For example, in April 2024, the NTA doubled the frequency of TFI route 139, which serves Maynooth University, improving connections between Blanchardstown and Naas.

Additionally, several university towns now benefit from local town bus services that connect to campuses. These include towns such as Athlone, Carlow and Sligo, while plans are well advanced to introduce a new town service in Letterkenny in 2026 which will benefit the many students attending its university.

I welcome any ideas that Deputy has in this area and am committed to working with the NTA in delivering improved, sustainable, and accessible public transport options across Ireland.