Newbridge town bus comes a step closer

PLANS for a new town bus service in Newbridge have moved a step closer, with the National Transport Authority (NTA) confirming that it is preparing a proposal and will begin a public consultation on the service this Thursday, 8 October.

The proposed service is expected to improve connections between residential areas and key destinations across the town, including Newbridge railway station, schools, healthcare facilities, employment areas, shopping centres and community and sporting facilities.

The NTA has also confirmed that connections to and from Athgarvan are being considered.

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and minister for agriculture, food and marine Martin Heydon welcomed the announcement.

“The town of Newbridge has grown significantly in the past ten years and it is appropriate that it is now considered suitable for a town bus service that would connect many aspects of the town from the train station to sports and community facilities, schools and health services,” he said.

Minister Heydon said the public consultation would give residents an opportunity to influence how the proposed service is designed and ensure that it meets the needs of potential users.

Fianna Fáil senator Fiona O’Loughlin also welcomed confirmation of the proposed service, saying she had been working towards improved town bus provision in Newbridge and Naas for a number of years.

Senator O’Loughlin was informed by minister of state at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer in the Seanad that Newbridge and Naas are being considered for new town bus services under the NTA’s Town Bus Programme.

She said improved local connectivity was particularly important in Newbridge because of the distances between some residential areas and the railway station.

“Newbridge is growing and developing rapidly. We have quite good inter-city connections and into Dublin with buses and the railway station. However, there is a serious lack of connectivity within the town itself,” she said.

Senator O’Loughlin pointed to larger residential areas including Curragh Grange, Liffey Hall and Belin Woods, saying residents commuting to Dublin may need to drive to the railway station, adding to congestion and pressure on parking.

Social Democrats cllr Chris Pender has also welcomed the NTA confirmation, having campaigned for a dedicated local bus service at council level since 2023. Since first bringing it to Kildare-Newbridge MD in 2023, cllr Pender continued to pursue the issue through the preparation and adoption of the Newbridge Settlement Plan, calling for coverage of the town’s most populated areas, links with employment and education and connections with other public transport services.

He also sought consideration of employment areas including Littleconnell, Great Connell and Crotanstown, as well as bus priority measures on key routes including Main Street, Eyre Street and Ballymany Road.

Cllr Pender said the consultation would be an important opportunity for residents to examine the proposed route and provide feedback.

“We need to look at where the buses actually go, which estates they reach, how they connect with the train station, schools, healthcare and employment areas, how frequently they run, and what hours they operate,” he said.

He added that he would continue to argue for a seven-day service that would cater for commuters, students, older people and those travelling in the evenings.

Cllr Pender also welcomed the proposed consideration of connections with Athgarvan, saying he had previously raised gaps in public transport provision in the area.

“We are not at the finish line yet. The route still has to go through consultation and there is a lot of detail we need to see,” he said. “But we have moved from asking the NTA to develop a service, to the NTA actively preparing one and getting ready to put it before the public.” 

The proposed Newbridge service forms part of wider investment in public transport, including the ‘Connecting Ireland’ programme, which has introduced new and improved rural public transport services across the country.

Residents will have the opportunity to view the NTA’s proposals and make submissions when the public consultation opens on 8 October.