Extra bus services for Limerick estate ruled out
THE NATIONAL Transport Authority (NTA) said it will not extend a bus route serving King's Island in the city into the evening, despite calls from councillors.
The 305A circular service, which links the city with Island Road, St Ita's Street and St Mary's Park, operates on an hourly basis.
But the last bus on the route leaves the city centre at 5.30pm.
Councillors had lobbied the NTA to change this.
This is because it is this body which decides what buses go where, rather than Bus Eireann, which is just contracted to provide the service.
Labour councillor Conor Sheehan last month saw a motion passed by his colleagues that the NTA requested to make the change, pointing out the lack of an evening service leaves many elderly and vulnerable people isolated in the later hours.
However, in correspondence provided to councillors at this month's metropolitan meeting, NTA chief executive Anne Graham confirmed there would be no changes to the service for now.
This could change, however, with the authority undertaking a review of Limerick's urban bus network.
This is scheduled to get under way early in the New Year.
Cllr Sheehan - who described the response from the NTA as "frustrating" - appealed to people to have their say on this.
"We have a situation whereby the areas with the worst bus services are regeneration areas, and these are areas in most need of a regular, reliable, frequent bus service. Car ownership rates are below what they should be across the rest of the city. It's important in terms of social mobility. People need to be able get in and out of these communities on public transport to be able to live and work," he said.
He also pointed out that since Tracey's Shop closed on the Island, there is no general store, meaning people will need to at least go to Athlunkard Street to buy groceries.