Bus shelters needed in Kennelsfort, say SF candidates

Sinn Féin local election candidate for Palmerstown, Daniel Loftus said “after representations from Niamh Fennell, Mark Ward TD, and myself the NTA have reported that they have carried out a review of the bus stops along the Kennelsfort Road Upper. The council have advised the NTA that this location is part of the South Dublin County Council active travel scheme which may require changes to the transport infrastructure in the area.”

“Due to this, the NTA have reported that it is premature to install bus shelters at this time. The Kennelsfort road is marked as receiving these vitally important works “soon”. The councils plan for “soon” is within three years. Three years is not soon enough.”

“Residents of Palmerstown have repeatedly told me that the roads and paths in Palmerstown are in bad need of repair and replacement. All you need to do is drive down the Kennelsfort or go for a walk through Palmerstown and you’ll find numerous cracks in the path and roads.

“The delay in these works being carried out is now having an impact on the area receiving badly needed bus shelters. This delay will mean more people left in the rain waiting for a bus at the same time the government are trying to encourage people to use public transport. We must make it easier for people to use public transport. I will continue to advocate for these works to be carried out as soon as possible.

Residents of Palmerstown have raised the issue of “ghost buses” and the frequency of the current 26 route with me on a number of occasions. The issue of “ghost buses”, where the bus is on the bus schedule but does not show up, must be addressed by the NTA and government. I experience this myself as I get the bus to and front work every day.

“People cannot be left waiting in the wind and rain for a bus that never turns up. People will use public transport if it is frequent and can be trusted to turn up. The 26 route is the only bus that travels down the Kennelsfort road upper and due to this the entirety of Palmerstown relies upon it.

“This bus service must be improved, and this new 80 bus route must be more frequent and punctual, and I will continue to advocate for this,” she said.