Press Release and Copy of Letter

Portarlington, 22 November 2024 – Independent candidate for Laois, Elaine Mullally, has called on Dublin Coach to reconsider its decision to cancel the Portarlington–Kildare Village bus service. The cancellation, announced earlier this week, has sparked concern among local residents, particularly those who depend on the route to travel to work in Kildare Village and Kildare Town.

Mullally criticised the decision, describing it as “deeply disappointing” at a time when public transport is being promoted as a sustainable alternative to car travel. “This cancellation could leave some workers unable to commute, potentially costing them their jobs,” she said. “It also sends the wrong message about supporting public transport and reducing car dependency.”

Mullally acknowledged that declining passenger numbers may have contributed to the decision but argued that this decline is partly due to ongoing reliability issues and the condition of some older buses. “If Dublin Coach improved the reliability of the service and invested in better buses, passenger numbers would likely increase,” she said.

The Independent candidate has called for the route to be reinstated immediately and pledged to actively promote the service within the local community if it is restored. She has also appealed to Dublin Coach to extend the service at least until January, to give affected passengers time to arrange alternative transport or find new employment.

“Pulling the plug on this service just before the busy Christmas period is particularly harsh,” Mullally said. “If the service cannot be maintained long-term, Dublin Coach should at least give passengers a reasonable transition period.”

Mullally concluded by urging Dublin Coach to prioritise the needs of the local community and work towards a solution that balances passenger needs with operational sustainability.

For further information or to discuss this issue, please contact Elaine Mullally at 085 1754727

ENDS

For full transparency below is a copy of the letter sent to Dublin Coach.

Dear Dublin Coach Team,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent announcement of the cancellation of the Portarlington–Kildare Village bus service. This decision will have a significant impact on many individuals who rely on this route, particularly those working in Kildare Village and Kildare Town. At a time when there is a strong public push for greater use of public transport, it is both surprising and disappointing to see this service being withdrawn.

The cancellation could have severe consequences for employees who depend on this bus to travel to work, with some potentially facing the devastating prospect of losing their jobs simply because they can no longer commute. Furthermore, this decision undermines efforts to reduce car dependency and promote more sustainable transport options.

I understand that a decline in passenger numbers may have influenced your decision. However, I believe this decline is partly due to reliability issues and the general condition of some older buses used on the route. Addressing these issues could help restore passenger confidence and encourage greater use of the service.

I strongly urge you to reconsider the cancellation and reinstate the route. Should the service be restored, I am committed to actively promoting it within the local community, as I believe it plays a vital role for those living and working in the area.

If sustaining the service indefinitely is not feasible, I implore you to consider extending it at least until January. This extension would provide much-needed time for affected passengers to arrange alternative travel or seek new employment.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I hope Dublin Coach will prioritise the needs of its passengers and work towards a solution that supports both the community and the company.

Yours sincerely,
Elaine Mullally
Independent Candidate for Laois