Meyer calls on the Minister for Transport to increase funding for bus stop infrastructure in the Ashbourne area

The plight of Ashbourne residents, both old and young, standing in the rain for buses that might or might not come, was highlighted at a meeting of Meath County Council last week.

Cllr Helen Meyer called on the Minister for Transport to increase funding for the enhancement and maintenance of bus stop facilities within our community.

She also proposed that Meath County Council request the National Transport Authority meet with the councillors in the council chamber as a matter of urgency.

“During 60 consecutive days of rain this winter many people relied on buses and were left standing in the rain. I have seen residents of all ages, elderly and young, waiting in downpours for buses that too often do not arrive.

“I am asking the council as a matter of urgency to request the NTA increase the current allocation of €500,000 for enhancing and maintaining bus stop facilities in our community.

“Public transport is essential for mobility, accessibility, and sustainability, and bus stops, shelters and seats are a fundamental part of that infrastructure.

“Many bus stops urgently require improvement. There are inadequate shelters, lack of seating and poor lighting. “ "These shortcomings discourage public transport use, especially during bad weather or at night.”

Cllr Meyer noted that Ashbourne MD is upgrading two bus stops in Gormanston, but these upgrades do not include shelters or seating.

“Every bus stop upgrade should include a shelter and seating as standard.

“I have repeatedly called for bus stop shelters and seating along the main Ashbourne route (R135 and along the R147). Yet there is no indication these upgrades will happen soon unless we prioritize shelters and seats. Over €6 million was invested in active travel for Ashbourne, most of which went to cycle lanes.

“Constituents are paying more in rent and house purchases and getting less for it. The houses cost more, but they are smaller, with fewer windows, less green space and something that is going to have a long-term impact is that the new planning bill does not require newly built houses to have more than one parking spot.

“The intent, one assumes, is to encourage people to use public transportation. Recently, planning permission for age friendly apartments only had 17 car parking spaces for 68 apartments. Those age friendly residents are to use a bus stop without a shelter or seat. We have a public transport system in Meath that is not fit for purpose.

“People are really fed up. Barely a day goes by that I don’t hear from fed-up commuters.”

Cllr Meyer said NTA funding falls far short of what’s needed. “We must strongly urge the NTA to substantially increase the funding if we truly want to encourage people to use public transport.

“If the NTA is unwilling to act, the council must step up. I urge the council to identify funding to make life more bearable for our residents."

Cllr Emer Tóibín of Navan said Meath gets the same funding for bus stops as Leitrim or Longford. “Every county gets the same allocation, which makes absolutely no sense.

“The allocations should matched the population. Meath is the biggest commuter county in the country."

Cllr Alan Tobin of Ashbourne proposed that in planning permissions for housing developments, the council take into consideration footpaths to the bus shelters.

Navan’s Cllr Eddie Fennessy said he would like the NTA to attend a meeting. "Buses breaking down are a problem on the Navan town bus service.

“It is a great service but we we were down 21,000 journeys last year. That is primarily because of the condition of the buses. They have a 12 year life span and the buses are 14 years old and are very easy to break down. "

The chief executive, Kieran Kehoe said it was not the council's function or role to provide bus stops. “I want to be very clear, we need to be careful we don't start doing the functions of other state agencies. it is the function of the NTA. We cannot do it either legally or financially,” he said.

- Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme