Additional Services Secured For 139 Bus Route Stopping In Naas, Maynooth & Blanchardstown

Social Democrats Cllr. Aidan Farrelly spoke about the new routes that

Supplementary services have been added to the 139 bus route in County Kildare, the route serves Naas, Maynooth and Blanchardstown.

The additional buses will particularly benefit students who attend Maynooth University.

Provision of the following additional supplementary buses have been secured on the following trips during college term: 

• 07:00 Blanchardstown to Naas 
• 09:00 Naas to Maynooth 
• 15:00 Blanchardstown to Naas is supplemented by an additional capacity bus from Maynooth to Naas, departing Maynooth at 15:45 

Having written to the National Transport Authority requesting additional bus services on the 139 route, the Kildare Social Democrats team of Catherine Murphy T.D. Cllrs Aidan Farrelly, Nuala Killeen and Bill Clear have received confirmation that additional services have now been sanctioned by the Authority.

The NTA have also confirmed the retention of the two supplementary services currently operating during college term: 

• 07:00 Naas to Blanchardstown 
• 17:00 Blanchardstown to Naas is supplemented by an additional capacity bus from Maynooth to Naas, departing Maynooth at 17:45 

Social Democrats Cllr.Aidan Farrelly commented: “As a group, we decided to write directly to the NTA because we were hearing from dozens of people every day during September and October who were being left behind. And it was yet another example of a failing public transport service in Kildare.

“While I welcome the response from the NTA of additional services, I note that the first of these additional services leaves Blanchardstown at 07.00am, where I would argue this service is not at capacity travelling to Naas, but instead travelling from Naas serving Maynooth University,” said Cllr Farrelly.  

“The additional supplementary buses will be of exceptional value. We need our public transport services to be consistent, reliable and affordable. Students and staff of Maynooth University were being left stranded at bus stops, missing class and other important meetings.

"For those who had the option, they would jump in a car. But for most, they missed much of the day,” added Farrelly. 

Cllr. Nuala Killeen commented: “The 139 is a popular service that travels to where people want to go so it is understandable that additional resources are now required.  I am hopeful that the NTA will continue to assess the unmet need of other services that leave people behind.” 

While Cllr. Bill Clear added:  “I'm delighted that that students will not be left on the roadside along the route on their way to Maynooth University. Hopefully we will see a big improvement in this service."

Cllr. Aidan Farrelly is hosting a public meeting on bus services in Kildare in the Westgrove Hotel, Clane at 7.30pm on November 7th.

He has asked commuters who have been impacted by poor public transport in Kildare to come along and share their issues and experiences.

He will be compiling a report of these experiences and sharing with the NTA along with various service providers. 

Cllr. Aidan Farrelly spoke with Eoin Beatty on Kildare Today about the new 139 routes and other transport issues, listen back here: