I have been contacted by many residents along the Number 4 bus route, concerned about the proposed changes to the bus network as part of the BusConnects, Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign.

A public consultation on the BusConnects plan is currently open and runs until the end of this month.

Residents, who are understandably concerned about changes in routes, are invited to submit their views and opinions by 28 September 2018 either via the online survey at http://www.busconnects.ie  or by sending a submission to consultations@busconnects.ie by email or by post to BusConnects Network Redesign, National Transport Authority, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2, D02 WT20.

I understand that the public consultation findings are expected before the year end and that over the coming weeks and months there will be further informative and public consultation stages.

This is to ensure that the public are fully informed by the NTA about the BusConnects programme as it progresses and have opportunity to input at various stages to its development.

A number of local information sessions were held in August and will continue through September, and these face to face events involving NTA and Dublin Bus, will provide an opportunity to explain to customers the proposed changes to existing services. On next Friday, 14th September, a drop in information meeting will be held in Bloomfields Shopping Centre Dún Laoghaire from 2pm to 8pm.

If you are concerned about changes to bus routes near you I urge you to make a submission to the public consultation to share your views about the plan and any issues you might have about proposed changes that might affect you.

I will be making a submission on the proposed changes on behalf of my constituents. If there are any issues you would like me to include, please email mary.mitchelloconnor@oir.ie or contact my office on 01-8892199.

I am optimistic that the views of local communities will be taken into account by the NTA and Dublin Bus through this process.