Commuters ‘fed up’ as call made for better bus stop facilities in Meath
A call has been made for increased funding to improve bus stop facilities across Meath, amid concerns over poor conditions for commuters.
At the April meeting of Meath County Council, Sinn Féin councillor Helen Meyer urged the local authority to write to the Minister for Transport seeking a substantial increase in funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Her motion, which was passed, calls for urgent investment in bus stop infrastructure, including shelters, seating, lighting and accessibility improvements.
Cllr Meyer said many bus stops across the county are “not fit for purpose”, with inadequate facilities discouraging people from using public transport.
“Public transport is essential for mobility, accessibility and sustainability, but many bus stops urgently require improvement,” she said.
She pointed to issues including a lack of shelters and seating, poor lighting and limited accessibility for older people and those with disabilities.
“These shortcomings discourage public transport use, especially during bad weather or at night,” she said.
The councillor said the current allocation of €500,000 for bus stop enhancements falls short of what is needed in Meath, adding that there are currently around 120 requests for upgrades across the county.
Referring to works in the Ashbourne Municipal District, Cllr Meyer said two bus stops in Gormanston are due to be upgraded this year, but the €40,000 allocated does not include shelters or seating.
“Work done at every bus stop should include a shelter and seating as standard,” she said.
She also raised concerns about a lack of progress on long-standing calls for improvements along key routes including the R135 and R147.
Cllr Meyer said commuters are increasingly frustrated, particularly during poor weather conditions.
“I have seen residents of all ages waiting in downpours for buses that too often do not arrive,” she said.
“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.”
She added that, as one resident put it, “we pay Scandinavian taxes but have Albanian infrastructure”.
The councillor said that if additional funding is not provided by the NTA, the council should consider allocating its own resources to address the issue.
The motion will now see Meath County Council write to the Minister for Transport seeking increased funding for bus stop improvements.
Cllr Meyer also brought forward a separate motion calling for the NTA to meet with councillors to discuss concerns around the level of service being provided.