“An insult to the people of Waterford – Scrapped shuttle bus debacle continues
The sudden removal of plans to have a shuttle bus to bring passengers across Waterford city’s new sustainable transport bridge has been a sharp thorn in the side of locals.
Since the plans for the service were scrapped in October 2024, efforts have been made to bring the project back to the fore.
However, a feasibility report published last week by the National Transport Authority (NTA) concluded that the bus would not be possible (Read More).
The report outlined the reasons for its removal being operational constraints, vehicle considerations and pedestrian safety concerns.
The report also identified substantial costs, in the region of €1.85m to €2.16m per annum to subsidise the operation.
This week, local representatives directed sharp criticism towards the findings in the report, describing it as “an insult to the intelligence of the people of Waterford.”
However, on a positive note, the report seems to have “invited” Waterford Council to consider alternative options.
Meanwhile, there are also suggestions that new bus routes that are to be delivered as part of the long-awaited BusConnects programme should be prioritised over the sustainable transport bridge shuttle bus.
These matters were discussed at length during this month’s Plenary Council meeting.
The NTA report attracted significant criticism from councillors during the meeting.
Councillor Joe Kelly described it as “disgraceful”.
“To come up with a cost for a shuttle bus of between €1.85m and €2.16m is outrageous. If that bridge was in Dublin it would be sorted out in the morning. Its once again, second fiddle for Waterford” he said.
Cllr Adam Wyse questioned the report’s claim that the shuttle bus would pose a risk to pedestrian safety.
“I’m disappointed to see they’re using items such as ‘fears for pedestrian safety’ as reasons that it’s not allowed, yet you see the Luas go through Dublin no problem and there’s no discussion there regarding pedestrian safety.”
Cllr Wyse has been vocal on the issue, describing the shuttle bus "as a huge necessity for the North Quays project."
He recently posted a widely circulated video to social media of him walking across the bridge in treacherous winds.
Cllr Jim Griffin made reference to the video whilst speaking in the Council Chamber this week, saying: “That kind of weather is something we’re going to get on that bridge 360 days of the year. There are very few days per year where there’s no wind on that river."
Cllr Griffin said attempts to procure funding for the shuttle bus will need to be looked at "urgently".
Waterford Council Acting Director of Services Claire Hartley, has said that given the findings in the recent NTA report, priority may now lie with the BusConnects programme instead of a shuttle bus.
BusConnects is the NTA's programme to improve bus services and cycling facilities across Irish cities.
Ms. Hartley supported the programme this week, saying, “In regard to the NTA feasibility report, the focus now really is the addition of the BusConnects services.
“When a train arrives in Waterford, 200 people will come from it, a shuttle bus will only take 15 people, so we have to look at BusConnects first.”
Councillors however criticised the approach, as doubts remain over when the BusConnects programme will actually be delivered.
Cllr Declan Barry said councillors were told last year that BusConnects routes would be delivered in 2026. Councillors were subsequently told that the delivery had been pushed to 2027.
“I really hope that we’re not sitting here by the end of this year and we’re told its further down the line again. That’s my big fear" Cllr Barry said.
Waterford Council Director of Services, Gabriel Hynes, ensured councillors that senior Council staff are meeting with the NTA in the coming weeks and that the delivery of BusConnects in Waterford is on the agenda.
Meanwhile, Cllr Joe Kelly said despite the BusConnects routes, a shuttle bus on the sustainable transport bridge should still be delivered.
“It’s an insult to the intelligence of the people of Waterford to suggest that the extra services from the BusConnects will be beneficial. Those same buses will be stuck in the traffic jams across the bridge that we have now.
“The NTA have played it safe. They’re backing BusConnects to the hilt and they think that will solve every problem" he said.
There is still hope for some kind of shuttle bus across the bridge however, as the NTA suggests in its report that it would be happy to continue engaging constructively as a stakeholder should Waterford Council wish to explore an alternatively funded bus service or consider an "innovation-focused autonomous vehicle trial".
Cllr Mary Roche said last week it may be worthwhile exploring this option.
“It would certainly be a selling point for Waterford” she said.
In response to Cllr Roche’s point, Director of Services Claire Hartley said, “The invitation is quite clear in the report to explore an alternatively funded service. The trial for the autonomous vehicle is also clearly called out there in the report and we certainly haven’t closed the doors on that.”
