Following a National Transport Authority Assessment, Kilkenny is to receive a bus stop upgrade programme to begin over coming months.
Members of Kilkenny County Council heard this week that the council has secured funding of €110,000 to advance the first phase of the bus stop programme in county Kilkenny.
Although many of the members welcomed the development, others questioned why many rural areas, with no shelter to speak of, were not prioritised.
Maurice Shorthall asked: “There are many rural areas, including Mooneenroe which could be one of the most densely populated rural areas in the country, that are without a bus shelter, and people wait for buses with no chance of any shelter at all, unlike those who wait for buses in the urban areas. What’s the criteria for getting onto the programme?”
The first phase of the project will concentrate on five rural locations: Paulstown (four stops ), Gowran (two stops ), Thomastown (one stop ), Johnstown (two stops ), and Callan (one stop ).
Works will commence on enhancing the demarkation of the bus-stops including road markings and signage initially. Seating will also be provided in phase 1 of the project and kassel kerbing will be introduced to enhance accessibility to bus services for those with mobility challenges.
Bus shelters will not be provided in phase 1 of the project but it is intended that subject to funding, further phases of the project will be advanced in 2012 and beyond concentrating on the strategic bus routes throughout county Kilkenny.
