Sligo councillor calls for S3 bus route expansion to Finisklin and removal of temporary signage

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

At the recent meeting of Sligo Borough Municipal District Cllr Arthur Gibbons called for all temporary bus stop signs on the S3 route to be replaced with “high quality bus infrastructure,” and called for the S3 route to be extended to include the Finisklin area of Sligo.

Cllr Gibbons noted much of the infrastructure along the S3 route remains temporary with his motion before the meeting calling on the NTA to replace all temporary bus stop signs and timetables along the S3 route with permanent bus stop infrastructure and permanent timetable displays.

He also requested the NTA to meet with a delegation from the Borough District council to discuss extending the S3 route to serve Ursuline secondary school and other communities in the Finisklin area, ensuring improved access to education, employment and local services.

Speaking to his motion, Cllr Gibbons commented, “The S3 route has become an essential public transport service for many people travelling to work, school, and accessing services throughout our community. While the service itself has been very welcome, much of the infrastructure along the route remains temporary. Temporary bus stop signs and temporary timetables were understandable when the service was first introduced, but it is now time that these are replaced with permanent, high-quality bus stop infrastructure and permanent timetable displays.

“Permanent bus stops provide certainty and confidence for passengers. They improve accessibility, make the service easier to identify for visitors, and demonstrate a long-term commitment to public transport in our communities.”

In relation to expanding the S3 service, Cllr Gibbon stated, “I am asking that the NTA meet with a delegation from this Borough District to discuss extending the S3 route to serve the Ursuline Secondary School and other communities in the Finisklin area.

“Many students, workers, older people and families would benefit enormously from this extension. Better public transport means greater access to education, employment, shopping and recreational facilities. It also helps reduce traffic congestion around schools, lowers carbon emissions and supports the Government’s climate action objectives by encouraging more people to use public transport instead of private cars.

“As public representatives, we have a responsibility to ensure that our transport network evolves to meet the needs of our growing communities. The Finisklin area has expanded significantly, and it deserves the same quality of public transport access as other parts of our town.”

Cllr Gibbons expressed the view that an easy solution is available in relation to expanding the service and serving Finisklin, stating, “It sits for 10-15 minutes at the end of the route then backtracks. I can’t understand for the life of me why Finisklin can’t be served, it doesn’t make sense.

Cllr Gibbons continued, “I think it’s ridiculous. It’s not rocket science, all you are doing is completing the loop.”

In relation to the temporary signage he added, “All the temporary signs, the timetables are worn off, it’s pot luck if a bus is coming or not.”

The motion was seconded by Cllr Gino O’Boyle and unanimously supported.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.