Public Transport
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-30
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Mark Ward (SF), Dublin Mid-West

There was a private operator, the Airport Hopper, in Dublin Mid-West until February 2025. It provided an economical route to Dublin Airport for residents of Tallaght, Lucan and Clondalkin. The operator closed because the service was not financially sustainable.
The Minister mentioned public service obligations. I understand when a privately run service stops, the State can take it over through the public service obligation. This essentially means that the route would remain in place, but would be operated publicly by the NTA. I received a response from the NTA that it is not considering a public service obligation. Instead, it will begin a new service between Blanchardstown and Clongriffin. I am delighted for my colleague Deputy Donnelly in Blanchardstown and Clongriffin, but that is no good for people in Clondalkin, Lucan and Tallaght. Can consideration be given to taking the Dublin Airport Hopper under the public service obligation in order that we can have at least one direct route to the airport?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-30/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-30