More ‘convenient’ times needed for bus route between Newbridge, County Kildare, and Maynooth University

placeholder image — Maynooth University.

Appeal: The current bus times are awkward, one councillor said

More convenient times for buses between Newbridge and Maynooth University are needed.

That’s according to Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connolly.

He made the comments at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on Wednesday, July 19, at the MERITS building.

Specifically, Cllr Connolly motioned for the members of the MD 'to write to the National Transport Authority (NTA) and any other relevant body asking them to provide a public direct bus service between Newbridge town and Maynooth University at convenient times for students.'

As for her personal goals, Ms Ryan said that she wants to make a better effort to speak the Irish language, and to also spend more time with her only grandchild.

Sinn Féin Cllr Noel Connolly. File pic.

Cllr Connolly said that the issue was first brought to his attention by student and youth activist James Stokes.

He also told a represenattive of Kildare County Council (KCC) who was present at the meeting: "Students have to go up (to Maynooth University) and come back at ridiculous, awkward hours."

In response to his motion, KCC said that, with the agreement of the members of the MD, the Transport, Mobility and Open Spaces Department will communicate with the NTA regarding the issue.

This matter was put to a vote, which successfully passed.

Elaborating on the matter, James Stokes told the Leinster Leader: "Back on June 23, I as a member of Ógra Shinn Féin Kildare, began the campaign with the help of Cllr Connolly calling for a direct public bus service from Newbridge to Maynooth University.

"The importance of the campaign is to make it easier for students to access their education, So they don’t have to Spend a fortune on private services or Wake up at ridiculous hours for indirect services."

He continued: "I attended the meeting on July 19 to see it through and watch democracy in action, and I was glad that the councillors present agreed (to it).

"I’m hoping to hear a positive response from the NTA before the next university year begins."

Mr Stokes added that he has the support of Declan Markey, who isan Assistant Lecturer with Turn to Teaching at the Department of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth University.

Commenting on the situation, Mr Markey said: "One of the major obstacles or barriers to participation in higher education still remains to be a person’s access to good transportation links that makes attending the university feasible.

"Therefore any increase in transportation links to a university or higher education facility will enhance the numbers of students from that location attending that university.

Mr Markey added: "The Turn to Teaching programme would very much support this motion to improve transportation links between Newbridge and Maynooth University as it would definitely create greater opportunities for people from the community to access higher education."