The Government and the National Transport Authority have approved more hikes in the cost of public transport which will see prices rising by up to 13%.

Many people and commuters in Dublin West will notice a significant dent in their pockets once this latest price hike comes into force.  The Government should be encouraging people to use public transport instead of making it less cost effective.  These hikes will result in Dublin Bus cash fares being almost 40% higher than they were in 2012, while Rail tickets will also see significant increases.  Transport companies have expressed concern about falling passenger numbers, but consistent fare hikes will do nothing to improve the situation. 

If this policy continues, fewer people will be able to afford the ever increasing fares resulting in even bigger losses in the public transport sector. 

The Government and the National Transport Authority have approved more hikes in the cost of public transport which will see prices rising by up to 13%.

Many people and commuters in Dublin West will notice a significant dent in their pockets once this latest price hike comes into force.  The Government should be encouraging people to use public transport instead of making it less cost effective.  These hikes will result in Dublin Bus cash fares being almost 40% higher than they were in 2012, while Rail tickets will also see significant increases.  Transport companies have expressed concern about falling passenger numbers, but consistent fare hikes will do nothing to improve the situation. 

If this policy continues, fewer people will be able to afford the ever increasing fares resulting in even bigger losses in the public transport sector. 

I recently supported a motion to install pedestrian lights on the Porterstown Road at the section of road at Castleknock GAA Club. Currently, the road has an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing which needs to be upgraded to the proper system of traffic management which will be safer for all. This upgrade will progress next year subject to funding.

I was delighted to attend the opening of St. Catherine’s Park on the evening of Wednesday the 21st of May. It is a brilliant amenity for everyone in the community and it is a symbol of the huge level of community activism in progressing this over the last number of years.

I have made representations to Fingal County Council to clean up the overgrown foliage and trees along the road to St. Catherine’s Park from Laraghcon which obstructs proper pedestrian fluidity.

I tabled a motion at the recent Area Committee Meeting of the Council to improve the traffic management system along the both Clonsilla Road and the Coolmine Road as well as the interface between both roads. The Senior Executive Traffic Engineer is going to examine this in the coming weeks with the Traffic Section of the Gardaí and I will keep you informed of any progress on this.

The National Transport Authority has initiated a public consultation process for a “Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – Core Dublin Network.” There is a proposal to create a route from Blanchardstown via Castleknock to UCD.

Fingal County Council recently published a public consultation regarding a proposal to construct a cycle lane through Blanchardstown and Castleknock Villages to the Phoenix Park. It is important that people locally have substantive input into such proposals and I would encourage all residents to read the proposal. 

If you want further information on this or if you want me to make a representation on your behalf please do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information can be found at: www.fiannafail.ie/fingalpublicconsultations

I have also outlined further detail from Fingal County Council regarding the proposal below:

I recently attended and spoke at a public meeting in St. Mochta’s National School and there is widespread anxiety, opposition and concern to this proposal in the Dublin 15 community. Irish Rail are trying to accelerate this on the grounds that they want to provide “electrification” to the Maynooth line. Electrification could still be progressed without permanent road closures as has been achieved with the DART line. There are already significant traffic problems and if the road is closed these problems will only worsen. Fingal have proposed to place a footbridge over the road but there would be no disability access. It was stated at the meeting that the closure could cost close to 500,000 euro which is a gross waste of finite funds when basic local services are scarcely being provided. 

From the 15th of July Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail increased the car parking charges for commuters using the train by between 25 and 33 percent. This is a significant added cost that is a further barrier to the use of public transport. I have been in contact with a number of residents locally who have parking issues around the train stations and this regressive measure will unfortunately add to the traffic congestion and parking issues in many estates in Clonsilla, Coolmine and Castleknock. If you have any queries or concerns in relation to the Transport Network in Dublin West I would be happy to articulate and represent these issues on your behalf.

Dublin 15 is served primarily by bus and rail.

-The 37, 38, 39 buses all operate from the city centre and take specific routes throughout the area. There have been modest improvements in recent years with increased development of bus lanes and the improvement and acceleration of digital timetabling platforms which has helped commuters plan their respective journeys.

-Dublin 15 is served by the Maynooth Train Line with stations at Ashtown, Navan Road Parkway, Castleknock, Coolmine and Clonsilla.

As a Representative, I will work on behalf of all residents in our community to advocate and make representations about all pressing issues in relation to the transport network of Dublin 15 such as route changes, bus/train regularity and timetabling issues.