More than 60 people attended a public meeting to Save the 69 bus in the Old Library in Rathcoole on Tuesday 4th September. The meeting, which was organised by Gino Kenny TD, was addressed by two drivers representing SIPTU and the NBRU trade unions. The new Bus Connects plan would see Rathcoole and Newcastle lose a direct service to Dublin City Centre, replaced by a shuttle service to the Luas in Saggart and the Red Cow. The people who attended the meeting agreed to set up a campaign, collect signatures on a petition and send a delegation to the Public Consultation session organised by the NTA at Citywest on the 25th September.
Gino Kenny TD said: “I’m delighted that so many people turned out to save the 69 bus. The direct bus to the city centre is an absolutely necessary service for the community. This is not the first time that the direct bus has been threatened, in 2011 the community got organised to fight back against the cuts. People Power won the retention of the service back then, and people power can win now. ”
Cllr Madeleine Johansson commented: “There is a real problem with traffic congestion in Rathcoole, and a reduction in public transport services will make this even worse. The community needs an increase in public transport to manage the growing population in Rathcoole village. The new Bus Connects plan is only a proposal and if enough people get involved and voice their opposition the NTA will be forced to listen.”
