‘Completely outrageous’ - Anger at decision to discontinue ‘key’ Waterford bus services

Anger has been expressed in Waterford over the decision to discontinue two bus services to and from the city.

Bus Éireann recently announced that the Expressway services to Dublin Airport and Rosslare will both be withdrawn.

A spokesperson for 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.

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“The decision to consolidate our Expressway network and withdraw from a small number of routes is aimed at safeguarding the Expressway network.”

In a post on Facebook, Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said he was “deeply disappointed” by the news.

Deputy Cullinane said: “Deeply disappointed by Bus Éireann’s decision to withdraw key South East routes.

“The Waterford-Dublin/Dublin Airport service and the Rosslare/Wexford-Waterford route are important connections that people rely on every day.”

“Public transport needs investment, protection and new routes not cuts. I have written to Bus Éireann and the Minister for Transport asking that this decision is reviewed.”

Commenting on the post, a number of Waterford locals were equally disgruntled by the decision to discontinue the services.

One user commented: “This is completely outrageous! Please do everything in your power to keep the Waterford–Dublin/Dublin Airport service running.

“It is an essential route. The Government must intervene to keep this route in operation, even if that means providing subsidies.

“From students commuting to universities, to providing a lifeline for small villages and towns along the route, to commuters travelling to work and those heading to the airport, this route is far too important to lose and must be kept in operation.”

Frustration has also been expressed by politicians further afield, including Labour TD for Wexford, George Lawlor.

Deputy Lawlor said: “I want to express my absolute dismay at Bus Éireann’s decision to terminate the Rosslare Europort to Waterford Route 40.

“This is a move that is as short‑sighted as it is damaging to the people of South Wexford and beyond.

“This route is not a fringe service. It is a vital artery for thousands of potential commuters, students, patients, and workers who rely on direct access to SETU, Waterford University Hospital, Whitfield Hospital, and onward connections to Cork.

“Its importance has been obvious to everyone except, it seems, Bus Éireann.”

He went on to highlight what he believes are the bigger issues facing Bus Éireann as an organisation.

“I believe the decision exposes a troubling reality: an organisation that has lost all ambition for public service.

“Rather than investing in, promoting, or developing a route with enormous potential, Bus Éireann has effectively thrown its hands up and declared that profit matters more than people.

“They have chosen to walk away from a service that could thrive with even a basic level of strategic marketing, timetable alignment, or community engagement in South Wexford.

"Public transport is supposed to serve the public. Instead, Bus Éireann has demonstrated a willingness to abandon communities when commercial convenience outweighs social responsibility.”

These sentiments were echoed by Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, who stressed the importance of the route to people in his constituency.

He called on the Government and the National Transport Authority to urgently intervene and ensure that the affected routes are maintained, particularly those serving the south east.

“It seems that EU competition laws expect us to meet our climate obligations with one hand tied behind our backs.

“If essential regional routes are treated purely as commercial ventures, then rural Ireland will always lose out.”

“The Government has to ensure that this important route is maintained. It’s a vital route providing essential connectivity to rural Ireland.

“In the interest of reducing the country’s carbon footprint and improving public transport this decision must be reversed.”

The services are set to be officially withdrawn on May 24. Bus Éireann said that the decision will have no impact on jobs, given the company’s recruitment needs.

It added that anyone who has a prebooked ticket for either of the services will be contacted and provided with a full refund.