Concern over lack of safe bus stops for children attending Limerick schools

A COUNCILLOR has asked the local authority to urgently address a lack of bus shelters and safe set down areas for school children in one Limerick district.

Cllr Michael Donegan (FF) requested that the council identify suitable locations for bus shelters in Kilfinane, Kilmallock and Bruff on the 329-bus route, at the latest meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.

He also asked that an application be submitted to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for funding to erect bus shelters in the district.

"There are no designated safe set-down areas for school children and there are no designated areas for bus stops or bus shelters for public transport," Cllr Donegan stated.

He stressed that Bus Éireann and Local Link operate in these areas, and that there are a number of national and secondary school buses dropping off and picking up children in the South Limerick area that could be used.

“There is only one Bus Eireann bus travelling to Limerick in the early mornings. The late timing of the bus going in the morning time and the late arrival time in the city does not work for most commuters as it is too late for most people trying to get to work, and for a lot of students trying to get to their classes,” he said.

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Cllr Donegan also raised an issue concerning the lack of seating as the bus gets nearer to the city.

He described the current service as “extremely inadequate” due to the higher cost of fuel, the shortage of available accommodation in the city environs for students and the relocation of Ukrainians to the area.

“The Area Engineer has given a commitment to review these requests and the council’s Active Travel group have agreed to submit a grant application to the (NTA) for funding to erect bus shelters,” he informed after the meeting had concluded.