The popular Airport Hopper service to Dublin Airport won't be returning this year.
The coach served two different routes and provided Dubliners with an affordable way of getting to the Airport. One of the Hopper's routes travelled from Maynooth to the Airport and served Leixlip, Lucan, and Liffey Valley, while the second route served Tallaght, Clondalkin, and Liffey Valley.
The Airport Hopper, operated by Dualway, discontinued their service two years ago in March 2020 after Ireland's first lockdown was announced. There has been no update on their Facebook page since January, when customers were told the service was suspended until at least April.
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However, today Dualway confirmed to Maynooth Councillor Angela Feeney that the service won't be resuming anytime soon, saying recruitment issues and fuel costs are a challenge.
They said: "Unfortunately, we at Dualway are not in a position to re-introduce the Airport Hopper Service at this time. As you know, recruitment is a major challenge at the moment and that coupled with the large increase in fuel costs mean that the service is currently suspended pending further review. I do not expect any decision on the return of the Airport Hopper Maynooth service before the end of this calendar year."
Cllr Feeney told Dublin Live that the decision is "very disappointing" especially due to the price of parking at Dublin Airport. She said: "Many Maynooth residents had been asking when it would resume and if I could contact Dualway for certainty on it, there had been rumours that it was returning."
She added that "in a time of a climate and emergency crisis, it is far preferable to have people travelling by bus than clogging up the roads in cars".
A spokesperson for Dualway told Dublin Live they do not have any further comment on the matter.
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