Letter to the Editor: Save Route 4 to Dublin
Bus Eireann’s Expressway direct Waterford to Dublin Airport Route 4 bus ceased on May 24.
Dear Editor,
We refer to the cessation by Bus Eireann’s Expressway of the direct Waterford to Dublin Airport Route 4 bus from May 24.
Following a recent public protest meeting, a determined group of cross-community volunteers came together under the campaign name of ‘The 4 Bus 4 Us’, in order to highlight our serious concerns.
In the somewhat surprising absence of any formal public consultation opportunity being offered by the National Transport Authority (NTA), as part of their PSO determination in relation to such a significant, direct inter-city route to our capital city, we compiled a detailed submission on behalf of concerned residents, businesses, tourist accommodations and amenities across the three south-eastern counties of Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow.
We submitted correspondence to our public representatives, the CEO of the National Transport Association and the Minister of Transport at the start of May. Extensive work went into this campaign.
The outcome of NTA's determination is of grave concern.
We do not and will not accept the outcome, and it is now in the hands of Government to overturn the NTA determination. We call on National Transport Association CEO Anne Shaw to recognise the damage that is being caused to the very fibre of our communities. We call for a full service to Dublin to be put back in place.
Our core message is that a PSO requirement exists along the entire route between Waterford, Dublin City and Dublin Airport; a two-leg connecting journey to Dublin City and Airport will not work, and will not meet people's vital social, educational, healthcare or travel needs; any proposed interim bus operator from May 24 must continue to service the entire Waterford-Dublin corridor until such time that a formal procurement process is resolved by tender.
To include other towns and villages on a route to Carlow is undoubtedly welcome by those villages (via a Local Link service), however, it further extends the journey time even above that extra time that will occur when required to catch an interconnection from Carlow to Dublin.
The Waterford-Dublin route is one of the most important intercity connections in the south-east. It has facilitated passenger journeys weekly, serving commuters to work, students, patients attending hospital treatments and consultants, tourists in both directions, foreign workers and their families and friends for visitations, social, sporting events, and cultural outings to the capital for all ages, and business travellers to both Dublin and abroad.
Introducing any forced interchange significantly reduces the usability and attractiveness of the service. It may be considered by some in authority that a change would just be a ‘minor inconvenience’ for most people, however, in reality it would be a significant access barrier for many, and result in further cutting off rural Ireland from its capital city.
Any requirement to change to a bus or train mid-journey presents several issues, including substantial increases in journey time, making it completely impracticable and, ultimately, not usable. Direct services between Waterford and Dublin typically take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Introducing a change, including one dependent on tight coordination, can easily add 30–60 minutes or more, representing an increase of up to 40%. It could turn a relatively easy day trip into an overnight cost in the city. Needless to say, a two-bus route would not be used by anyone looking to get to Dublin Airport, and would push people back into their cars.
Yours sincerely,
Therese Maher and Trish Ryan,
‘The 4 Bus 4 Us’ campaign
