NTA must intervene to ensure airport transport routes maintained – Ahern
NTA must intervene to ensure airport transport routes maintained - Ahern - The Labour Party
- Dublin remains one of the only European capitals without an airport metro line
Labour’s transport and climate spokesperson Ciarán Ahern TD has called on the NTA to step in to replace routes to Dublin Airport that are to be discontinued by private coach operator Aircoach.
Deputy Ahern said:
“It’s extremely disappointing that Aircoach are cancelling routes to Dublin Airport servicing parts of South Dublin and Wicklow. This will mean more people are forced back into their cars when travelling to the airport, a retrograde step if we are serious about reducing our transport emissions.
“We need to be encouraging people to use more sustainable forms of transport, but if the services aren’t there, what options are people left with?
“Not to mention the added cost this will place on people travelling as a result of the significant parking costs at Dublin airport.
“This decision follows Aircoach cancelling services between Dublin and Galway last year. It’s clear that we cannot count on private operators to deliver the level of service necessary for us to ensure that everyone has access to sustainable, reliable transport options.
“Ultimately, the decision to cancel these vital routes is because their bottom line hasn’t been met. Like any other private business, Aircoach are motivated by profit, not public service.”
Deputy Ahern continued:
“The answer to this problem is simple: the State has to step in to ensure that everyone has sustainable, public transport options for travelling to the airport.
“I have written to the Minister for Transport to ask how he intends to ensure that people in the affected parts of South Dublin and Wicklow have access to reliable and sustainable access to Dublin airport. The NTA must come up with a plan to replace the routes that are being cancelled, so that residents in these areas aren’t left high and dry when they need to travel to the airport.
“This decision also drives home the absolute necessity that this Government gives priority to the Metrolink project.
“We are one of the only major European capitals that doesn’t have an airport Metro line, and it’s frankly a joke given how long it has been on the table that the sod still hasn’t been turned on it. Government must get serious on Metrolink, and the feasibility study for extending the project to Metro South-West should be expedited.”