Donabate-Portrane bus service
Duncan Smith said promised extra bus services for Donabate-Portrane had not materialised, leaving commuters stranded on overcrowded trains. The Minister said he knew the area well and would ask the Transport Minister to respond directly.
The Minister will know from his time on Fingal County Council that Donabate-Portrane is one area where the State is delivering houses at scale. Despite the population increase, there is only one direct bus service to Dublin city centre, the 33D at 7.20 a.m., and one back at 5.45 p.m. I have a sheaf of emails from the NTA and Dublin Bus that committed to one extra bus service in the morning and one in the evening, to start in October or by 3 November. Last week, the NTA pulled the rug. People are left behind on the platforms because trains are overcrowded. We only have one direct bus service from Donabate-Portrane. Dublin Bus is willing to do it. I remind the Minister that this is in the transport Minister's constituency. Can we please cut through the red tape and deliver an extra 33D service at peak time in the morning and the evening? Will the Minister do everything to ensure that is the case?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. I go out to Portrane-Donabate and know the area very well. There has been a wonderful transformation in terms of housing, construction and work happening across the community. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to respond directly to the Deputy on the increased demand for public transport and, in particular, the bus service that has been mentioned. I understand the acute need and demand in that area.