Full stop to Waterford shuttle bus plan condemned

The announcement at this month's metro meeting of Waterford Council that the plan to incorporate a shuttle bus service into the North Quays development is to be scrapped, has been condemned by Labour's General Election candidate, Sadhbh O'Neill.

Commenting on the matter to waterford-news.ie, in the wake of the meeting, Ms O'Neill said the shuttle bus service was an important component of the project.

“This shuttle bus was planned as an integral element of the mobility hub on the North Quays, which will house a new bus and train station, as well as connecting the New Ross and Waterford-Dungarvan greenways," she said.

"But without the shuttle, pedestrians will have to cross the 207m span bridge in all weathers," she added.

Ms O'Neill went on to comment: "The decision by the developers to cancel the shuttle service is completely unacceptable. The people of Waterford have been badly let down. Questions should be asked of Waterford City and County Council about why this shuttle service was not pinned down contractually and how the developer can get away with just cancelling it with a stroke of a pen."

Ms O'Neill said the developers of the North Quays project will benefit from a public transport hub without having to make it fully accessible to everyone in the city.

"The loss of the shuttle will directly impact on public transport users, especially those with disabilities or infirmities of any kind," she said.

"It will also have an impact on the usage of the mobility hub, as public transport is now further away for the majority of public transport users," she added.

Ms O'Neill said funding for the project was secured on the basis that it would reduce emissions and provide a realistic alternative to private cars.

"But that is not what the people of Waterford are getting," she said.

"This will be a priority issue for me as a Waterford TD," she added. She went on to comment: "I will campaign to secure the necessary backing from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to reinstate the shuttle service or provide an alternative service such as an automated tram." 

"It is absolutely essential that this bridge works to connect the North Quays with the rest of the city," said Ms O'Neill.

"If the bridge and mobility hub do not attract footfall as planned, the economic benefits of the North Quays project will simply not be realised.”

Read more on the announcement which was made a the monthly meeting of Waterford Metropolitan Council here