BusConnects Dublin North-West
Deputy Hearne says BusConnects has damaged bus users in Finglas and Glasnevin, with removed stops and poor communication from the NTA. The Taoiseach says consultation has been extensive, notes a meeting with the NTA, and urges the Deputy to raise concerns there.
I raise the issue of bus services and Bus Connects in Dublin North-West. For the public in Finglas and Glasnevin, it feels like BusConnects is more like bus disconnects. It has disconnected them from their schools, access to the city centre and work. I had a public meeting last week that was packed out. People are furious. Their lives have been turned upside down. They are completely reliant on public buses. Our bus stops have been removed from Beneavin Road. People are left waiting for buses that never come. The National Transport Authority, NTA, is not listening to communities. The residents are so furious that they are going to have a protest in Finglas on Monday. They will be protesting outside the Dáil the week after. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Transport to get the NTA to listen to the communities and make the changes they need? These are elderly people, disabled people and students whose lives have been turned upside down.
Comment on this
Again, there has been extensive consultation with the NTA on BusConnects across the country in Dublin, in Cork and everywhere. We have been strongly making the case to the NTA to engage with and listen to the public and society more generally. This new scheme has been in operation for four weeks. I understand there is a meeting tomorrow with the NTA and the local public representatives, is there not?
