Bus group meets with Minister

The Castledermot 'Save our N9 Bus Service' group is to have meetings with Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority, to be facilitated by Transport Minister Paschal Donoghue, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a meeting between the group and the Minister last evening, organised by Deputy Martin Heydon and attended by Deputy Jack Wall and Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Affairs Anne Phelan.

"We outlined the current position, setting out the difficulties that the cut in services by JJ Kavanagh has had on a number of South Kildare areas from Castledermot, Moone, Timolin, Crookstown, Kilgowan and Kilcullen," Deputy Heydon said this afternoon. "Coming after a similar cut in Bus Eireann services a few years ago, the reduction in services has impacted on many different sectors of the community, from students trying to get to college, older people attending hospital appointments and many in between."

He said the Minister took the concerns on board and understood the seriousness of the situation, and undertook to set up a meeting for the group with Bus Eireann. Following that meeting, he will facilitate a meeting with the NTA.

Deputy Heydon said also that the NTA are very aware of the issue and are examining potential solutions.