Dáil passes FF motion to protect vital Fingal Dublin Bus services

​-       BusConnects plan would let down communities in the North County if introduced -
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Local Fianna Fáil TD and Housing Spokesperson , Darragh O’Brien has said that the BusConnects plan to transform Dublin Bus services would leave residents in Fingal without essential direct routes and decrease the frequency of many others in the county.
The Deputy was speaking in Dáil Éireann during yesterday’s debate on his party’s Private Members Business motion calling for a review of the plan and for amendments to be made to better support North Dublin bus passengers.   
“I want to be very clear that there are positive aspects of this plan including the investment of €1.2 billion which is undoubtedly needed to improve the creaking public transport network in our capital city. That being said there are some valid public concerns regarding the BusConnects proposals.  
“Dublin Fingal has a population of just below 300,000 people – thousands of those people are commuters.
“The number 33 bus which currently serves the major growth areas of Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk and Skerries is to be scrapped. The existing direct buses connecting Donabate, Skerries and Kinsealy to the city centre will be shelved.
Direct bus services from Malahide will be reduced by 25%, while Seabury will be left without a direct bus into the city entirely.
“These potential dramatic and regressive changes are causing fear among Fingal resident. That was most apparent at each of the public meeting I have held across the county. This is a quality of life issue. It is about how people get to work, college, hospital appointments and school. 
“If the BusConnects plan as it stands was to be implemented in the morning, it would be an unmitigated disaster for services on many routes.

“Now that our party motion has passed in Dáil Éireann I am hopeful that the final BusConnects plan presented following public consultation will better reflect the transport needs of Fingal communities,” he concluded.