Works have finally commenced on the new bus stop and much needed bus shelter in Donabate village, says local Labour representative Corina Johnston.
“I first proposed this at a meeting in Leinster House with Duncan Smith TD and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2019,” she said.
“The purpose of this meeting was to discuss public transport improvements for the peninsula. Ever since then we have vigorously pursued this proposal with the NTA, Go Ahead Ireland and Fingal County Council’s Heritage and Roads Department.
“Planning permission was granted for the provision of this new bus stop within Donabate village in 2021. This will replace two existing bus stops and will incorporate a badly needed bus shelter and real time passenger information unit, the first on our peninsula. I believe this will improve the travelling experience for commuters and facilitate a free flow of vehicular traffic through the village.”
33B Bus Service Improvements
Ms Johnston was delighted that the revised 33B bus timetable has included the following amendments following her representations:
-The 00:10 33B service from Swords to Portrane will connect with the last train from the city centre which arrives into Donabate Station at 00:12
– the 11:10pm 33B service from Swords to Portrane on a Saturday night will connect with the last train from Malahide which arrives into Donabate Station at 11:13pm
– the 2:50pm 33B Swords to Portrane bus service has been amended to depart at 3:02pm to facilitate children travelling home from school.
Bus Connects
The Bus Connects project which includes direct bus services from Portrane to Dublin airport and UCD via Vincent’s Hospital is due to be implemented in late 2024. While these improvements are to be welcomed we believe that additional bus services will be required to cater for our growing population.
Rail services
Ms Johnston stated: “Deputy Smith and I have stressed to the Minister and the NTA the inadequacy of the rail service on the northern commuter line and the need for increased capacity as soon as possible. We have been informed that additional rail carriages due to come into service during the year will see a 10% increase in capacity at peak periods on the northern commuter line. In our opinion this increase will still be insufficient to cater for the population increase along the northern line.
“Irish Rail will also be taking delivery of 95 DART and carriages in 2024. We have recommended to Irish Rail and the NTA that some of these carriages be used to maximise capacity on the Northern Commuter Line.
“Given the urgent need for adequate and safe public transport both Road and Rail for the people along the northern commuter line the public can be assured that both Duncan and I will vigorously continue to pursue this important issue at National and Local level, ” concluded Ms Johnston.
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