Finglas Luas bus divides opinion

A NEW bus service linking Finglas with Cabra and the new Luas Cross City line has received a mixed reception from local politicians.

The new service, called the 40L, will run from Tyrrelstown through Finglas West onto Broombridge and is expected to start within weeks.

Dublin North West TD, Noel Rock (FG), welcomed the news, which he described as “another step towards getting the Luas extended to Finglas.”

However, Cllr Paul McAuliffe (FF) said he was shocked to learn that the new service will bypass Finglas village and several areas with large communities.

“For many years Dublin Bus has been promising a link from Finglas to Cabra via Broombridge,” he said.

“The bus has been campaigned for by local residents groups and by agencies that serve both the Finglas and Cabra communities.

“In recent weeks the Government has been heralding a new service in the area with posters and press releases.

“However it has now emerged that the new 40L Luas bus will in fact come from Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15, cutting through Finglas West only on Cardiffsbridge Road and through Deanstown.”

Cllr McAuliffe, who is chairperson of the D11LUAS Campaign, said that while the service was “obviously very welcome” for some, it would still leave residents in areas like Scribblestown and Valley Park with no transport connectivity.

“It will leave the majority of Finglas, including the village, with no Luas connection at all,” he said.

“It also gives no connectivity for Scribblestown and Valley Park residents back up to the village and Charlestown Shopping centre.

“We were promised a Luas bus link for Finglas and instead we have got a Tyrrelstown service that skirts through the area.

“Finglas deserves answers as to why this was allowed to happen.”

However, Deputy Rock believes the new service is a “good news” story for Finglas.

“The new route will travel through Ballycoolin, Cappagh Hospital, West Finglas and finally Broombridge,” he said.

“This will create a link between Dublin 11 and the new LUAS Cross City line.

“The draft timetable that I’ve seen effectively supplements the 40D in parts of West Finglas.”

“This marks the completion of phase one of my Fing-Luas campaign, where I promised that I would work to ensure a viable bus connection between Finglas and Broombridge was brought about.

“Having a bus serve the Luas is a no brainer, and while others joined my campaign for a new Luas, nobody has been mentioning a bus feeder service apart from me.

“Now, the next steps involve ensuring that this service is regular and convenient to as many as possible in Finglas.

“I will continue to put pressure on the NTA to develop park and ride facilities.

“But the final step of my campaign is to bring an extension of the Luas line itself to Finglas. I am confident this can be done.”