Interim solution found for Newbridge-Kilcullen bus issue

Minister Martin Heydon and Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer.

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister Martin Heydon has announced confirmation from the NTA that an interim solution has been agreed to provide public transport between Kilcullen and Newbridge from this Monday 4th July in light of the recent decision by JJ Kavanagh to cease their local link route serving Kilcullen and Newbridge.

“Working with my colleague Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, I was very much aware of the concerns of Kilcullen residents at the loss of service that resulted from the cessation of the JJ Kavanagh local link route," Minister Heydon said today. "I wrote to and spoke with the NTA this week to emphasise the concerns in Kilcullen and the need to find both a short term and longer term solution. 

“Following these detailed discussions, the NTA have confirmed to me this evening that agreement has been reached with an alternative operator to provide services on this route on a temporary basis for the next two-three months.

“This new service will commence operations from Monday 4th July. The operator will provide a service between 7am and 10.30 and from 14.30 to 19.00. In the meantime the NTA continue to explore ways of ensuring that a service continues on a permanent basis on this route.

“This route is the only form of public transport currently operating between Kilcullen and Newbridge and the villages along that route. Many people depend on this service for getting to and from work, to medical appointments and for shopping. It is an essential link between Kilcullen and Newbridge. 

“While we welcome this interim solution confirmed today, both myself and Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer will continue to work with the NTA to secure a more permanent solution and an expansion into a seven day service with evening options in the future."

The news of the interim solution has also been welcomed by Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who raised the issue in the Seanad during the week.

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