Emergency motion passed on ‘despicable’ termination of Waterford bus services

Waterford City and County Council has passed an emergency motion regarding Bus Éireann’s decision to cease two of its services to and from the city.

The national bus company recently announced that from May 24, its services from Waterford to Dublin Airport and Rosslare will be withdrawn completely.

Local councillors expressed their dismay at this decision at the council’s April plenary meeting.

Labour councillor Thomas Phelan brought forward a motion which called on the National Transport Authority (NTA) to intervene.

Cllr Phelan said: “These are not just of significant importance to Waterford city and county but to the entire region.

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“At a time when people are being encouraged to maximise their use of public transport to help the environment and at a time when resources are being poured into the integrated transport hub on the North Quays, it beggars belief that our national bus company would terminate long standing services between Waterford and the wider south east region and our capital city, our largest international airport and our nearest ferry point.

“No other city or city region would be expected to tolerate such blatant disregard and disrespect. The inconvenience to commuters, students, hospital patients, tourists, holidaymakers and others whether heading to catch a flight or ferry could be incalculable.”

He went on to outline what the motion calls on the NTA and Bus Éireann to do over the coming weeks.

“Waterford City and County Council calls on the NTA to immediately put in place a public service obligation (PSO) to ensure there is no loss of service on Routes 4 and 40.

“Waterford City and County Council also calls on Bus Éireann to keep Routes 4 and 40 operating as normal for as long as it takes for the NTA to complete the PSO designation process.

“If passed, this motion is also to be circulated to the Southern Regional Assembly and the local authorities whose functional area Routes 4 and 40 pass.”

The motion was seconded by Cllr Phelan’s party colleague, Cllr John Pratt, who said that the motion “speaks for itself”.

Cllr Pratt stated: “It is despicable that we have to lose these routes. I am of the firm belief that routes like this, it shouldn’t always be about financially making money.

“We’re constantly looking to get cars off the road and Waterford is developing with the North Quays and all the positive things that are happening in Waterford at the moment.

“I feel that it's important that we support this motion and that we prevent this from going ahead.”

At the end of the discussion, the motion was passed with the support of all councillors present.

Waterford City and County Council will now write to the NTA and Bus Éireann regarding the termination of the services.