Mayor for Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan has called on Bus Éireann to reverse their decision to cut two popular routes in the South East.
Bus Éireann released a statement on March 27 advising that they will be discontinuing the Waterford – Dublin/Dublin Airport (Route 4), Rosslare/Wexford – Waterford (Route 40 Segment), as well as the Ballina – Galway (Route 52).
Explaining the reasons for the cancellations Bus Éireann said: “Expressway is a commercial service, which receives no state subvention. The measures announced are in response to the continuous significant losses being incurred on these services.
“While disappointing, it is clearly unsustainable for a commercial operation. The decision to consolidate our Expressway network and withdraw from a small number of routes is aimed at safeguarding the Expressway network.
“Given the scale of our operations, there will be no impact on jobs given our current recruitment needs.
“Any customer who has a prebooked journey on any of the impacted services will be contacted and provided with a full refund,” the Bus Éireann statement concluded.
A Public Obligation
Speaking to The Munster Express, Mayor, Seamus Ryan, has said that Bus Éireann has a public obligation to deliver these services as he called on management to reverse their decision immediately.
“I believe the decision by bus Éireann is short-sighted and should be reversed immediately,” said Mayor Ryan.
“Bus Éireann have a public service obligation to provide public transport to the main venues and destinations in the country. Dublin Airport is one of those and it is vital that we have public transport directly to Dublin airport.
“Also the South East, to Rosslare and Wexford, we should have a public transport route there. So I am calling on bus Éireann to reverse these decisions and to do so immediately.”
Waterford TD, David Cullinane, also condemned the cuts, saying they are in opposition to both climate targets and the direction Irish society is supposed to be moving.
“I am deeply disappointed by the decision to withdraw these important South East services,” said Deputy Cullinane.
“These routes are relied on by workers, students, families, older people and those travelling for appointments, and their loss will be felt right across the region.
“The Waterford to Dublin/Dublin Airport route and the Rosslare/Wexford to Waterford service are vital connections. At a time when we should be encouraging more people to use public transport, this decision moves in the wrong direction.
“What public transport needs is investment, protection and expansion. We need new routes, better frequency and stronger regional connectivity, not cuts to services that people depend on,” explained the TD.
“I have written to Bus Éireann and to the Minister for Transport seeking an immediate review of this decision. It is essential that every option is explored before these services are lost.
“The South East cannot continue to be treated as an afterthought when it comes to transport provision. Reliable and accessible public transport is essential for balanced regional development, for social inclusion and for climate goals.
“I am calling on Bus Éireann and the Government to work together to protect these routes and to recognise their importance to the people and communities they serve,” Deputy Cullinane added.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
