Gorey bus stops to be relocated as ‘park and ride’ service proposed for those living on outskirts of town

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Those using public transport in Gorey town centre will soon be protected from the elements while they wait for their buses to arrive. Currently, the two stops in the heart of the town do not have shelters and passengers must seek refuge under shop awnings during adverse weather.

However, according to district engineer Joanne Kehoe, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has approved the construction of two brand new stops, with shelters, for Gorey.

At the December meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) Councillor Craig Doyle said those waiting for buses were often “left standing in the rain” due to the lack of shelter on Gorey’s Main Street.

Explaining that “there’s an issue” with putting shelters on the Main St, Ms Kehoe said the existing stops were to be relocated once the designs had been finalised and submitted to the NTA.

Meanwhile, those living in the outskirts of the town continue to go without any bus service at all.

“Could we get a bus stop at the bottom of the town, near Lidl?” asked Cllr Nicky Boland. “It’s a long way from Clonattin Village to where the proposed new stops are going to be located, it’s a 45-minute walk.”

While a third bus stop seems unlikely, Ms Kehoe did have an alternative solution.

“We are looking at the possibility of a park and ride for those further out from the town, people could drive to the bus stop and park there for the day.”

In theory this sounded like a solid compromise, but Cllr Boland wasn’t so sure. “50-60 pc of the people in those estates don’t have a car,” he noted.