Sligo Councillors demand meeting with NTA to discuss issues with local bus services

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion put forward by Cllr Tom MacSharry at the December meeting of Sligo County Council received widespread support from his fellow elected representatives as they seek to have a meeting with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to issues with the service in Sligo.

Addressing the meeting Cllr MacSharry paid tribute to Sligo County Council staff who worked out of hours to accommodate the NTA when they last visited Sligo before stressing the importance of another meeting.

Cllr MacSharry referred to the bus service at Rusheen Ard, Caltragh as an “ongoing concern for a long time,” stating “It used to have a very good service but with one stroke of a pen that was taken away.

Cllr Thomas Walsh said he “Firmly supported the motion to have a meeting.” Describing the NTA as a “lazy organisation,” he added, “What we have seen from them over the last three years has been piecemeal.”

Cllr Barry Gallagher suggested other areas of the county should be included in the discussion when local representatives meet with the NTA saying, “Don’t forget about the poor cousins in south Sligo, we have nothing.”

Cllr Marie Casserly also offered her support for the motion saying, “It has been raised many times, with the increased population it is important it is revisited.”

Cllr Fergal Nealon was also in agreement when he said, “Caltragh is an absolute no-brainer. It is pure common sense and it is shocking it hasn’t been done.” Cllr Nealon also cited the need for a serving catering Sligo Airport which has in the region of 200 staff and a busy creche saying, “They don’t seem to be listening.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy expressed the hope that a meeting with the NTA will happen soon saying, “We are hoping to have a round table meeting with them in January.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.