The National Transport Authority should step in and replace cancelled bus routes to the airport, Labour have said. 

Airport Hopper Holdings have said they will no longer operate services from Dublin Airport to Maynooth and Tallaght, revealing the routes had become "financially unsustainable” due to low passenger numbers. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Labour transport spokesperson Ciarán Ahern described the announcement as a “disappointing step”. 

“[This is] showing what we think are the limits of the privatisation of public transport in our capital,” he said. 

“These two different private operators - who people will be familiar with - offer generally an express, direct and cheap route to Dublin Airport. 

“And, importantly, a sustainable route. 

“If we are serious about our climate targets and reducing our transport emissions, we need to be encouraging people away from their cars and onto public transport and mass transit like this.” 

Ryanair aeroplanes with the control tower in the background at Dublin Airport. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Deputy Ahern said the State should step in and run services from the airport if the private sector is unable to do so. 

“We are calling on the NTA to replace the routes with public transport,” he said. 

When questioned about the level of demand for such a service, Deputy Ahern said there are things that can be done to encourage more people to use public transport. 

“You’ll also see those operators were complaining about congestion leading to poor travel times and lack of reliability,” he said. 

“Actually, there are steps that we can take to prioritise public transport on our roads in the city - which would make these routes more viable.” 

Take the train

In the long-term, Deputy Ahern hopes the construction of the MetroLink will significantly reduce the number of people driving to the airport. 

“People are going back to their cars, they are relying on taxis,” he said. 

“It costs €80 to get to the airport from where I live - you could fly to France for that. 

“This for us underlines the importance of getting a Metrolink from the airport into the city centre. 

“We would say to continue that route out into south west Dublin and out all the way to Tallaght.”

Construction of the MetroLink begins next year.

Main image: A bus at Dublin Airport. Picture by: Alamy.com