MEETINGS being held on the Northside to discuss the new BusConnects plan are continuing to attract large numbers.
Over 400 residents packed into a meeting on July 23 at Seabury Parish Centre, Malahide; on July 26 there was a large turnout at a meeting held in Edenmore; and on August 2, a meeting, organised by Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF), will be held at the Bonnybrook Parish Centre for Coolock residents.
Dublin Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien (FF), who co-hosted the Seabury meeting with Malahide councillor Eoghan O’Brien (FF), said the large number of people who attended his public meeting on the proposed bus route changes to Malahide services is proof that there is considerable concern in the local community.
“It’s clear from the large number of people who attended the meeting that many local residents have legitimate concerns about how the proposals will affect their local bus services,” said Deputy O’Brien.
“The fact that over 400 attended on a warm evening in the middle of summer tells its own story.
“The community values its current bus services, and there is a concern that the proposed changes will lead to a reduction in both frequency and connectivity.
“This is the first in a series of public information meetings that I, and local Fianna Fáil councillors, will be hosting throughout Dublin Fingal.
“We need to ensure that there is full public consultation on the proposals, and that local people have the opportunity to raise their concerns about their bus services.”
Cllr Alison Gilliland (Lab), who represents the Beaumont-Donaghmede Local Electoral Area (LEA), described the BusConnects route proposals as “quite radical” and urged local residents need to make their views known.
“They remove many used routes into town replacing them with three key arterial routes,” she said.
“Several new orbital routes are proposed which will no doubt bring benefit to many. However, most concerning for others is the proposal that they will take a local bus to join up to a city centre bound route.
“While waiting times for such connections is promised to be no longer than five minutes, having to take two buses to get into town will be a burden particularly for older less mobile people and those with disabilities.
“Given such radical changes it's important that local bus users get full information on the proposed new routes and that they make their views know during the public consultation period.”
Cllr Gilliland added: “I'm delighted to see the National Transport Authority (will) hold an information stand in the Donaghmede Shopping Centre on Friday, August 24 but I'd like to see such an information stand in all local shopping centres and have put in a request for same.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Larry O’Toole (SF) has expressed concern about changes to the Number 27 bus service to the city centre under the proposals being put forward.
“I have been approached by several commuters who are concerned at the loss of a direct service to the city centre,” said Cllr O’Toole.
“The existing 27 route will no longer serve the community who need the service to travel to town for shopping, employment and schools.”
Cllr Michael O’Brien (Solidarity) said: “Under the proposal Edenmore, a working class area of some 1,200 homes, with an older age profile, will lose its direct city centre service, the 27A.”
BusConnects has been presented as an ambitious plan to vastly improve the city’s bus service, and it’s anticipated that a 27 percent increase in services and other changes will ultimately benefit current and future bus users.
The proposals include:
•Arranging routes along seven super-frequent cross-city spines to make journeys quicker and easier,
•Increasing the number of orbital services to make it easier to get where you need to be,
•All-day high frequency services on more routes to reduce waiting times, and
•A new easy-to-understand system of route numbering.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is encouraging residents to get involved in the public consultation stage which will continue until September 28.
For full details of the BusConnects proposals, which includes an online survey, and the schedule of local information events, visit www.busconnects.ie