"Stabbed in the back" - Council discuss scrapped shuttle bus plans

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 councillors.

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 recently by the National Transport Authority (NTA) concluded that the bus would not be possible (Read More).

The report outlined 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.

The report does however indicate that the NTA ‘would be happy to continue engaging constructively as a stakeholder should Waterford City and County Council wish to explore an alternatively funded bus service.’ 

The issue was raised once again this week, with Cllr Eamon Quinlan saying that the NTA have stabbed the Council in the back.

“I take it from reading the NTA’s response that the sustainable transport bridge having transport on it is dead and gone.

“The report basically said that the NTA are not paying for it, but if the Council want to pay by all means, which is definitely them stabbing us in the back and twisting the knife. We were never meant to pay for it.” 

Meanwhile, Acting Director of Services with Waterford Council, Sean Dobbs, has said that he believes the door is not closed on the shuttle bus plans.

“The NTA are open to further engagement. Their focus at the moment is about rolling out BusConnects but they have not closed the door on a potential shuttle bus.” 

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Seamus Ryan, has said that he wants a stronger case to be made for the return of the bus.

“To me this is a significant piece of infrastructure” he said 

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)