Call to improve ‘unacceptable' bus services in Ashbourne amid disruptions
At the July meeting of the Ashbourne Municipal District, Cllr Meyer tabled a motion calling on Meath County Council to liaise more closely with Bus Éireann to ensure increased passenger capacity, particularly in light of the nearly 1,000 new housing units due for completion in Ashbourne over the coming months.
To illustrate the issue, she referenced a recent incident where the 7:40 AM weekday bus was cancelled, leaving passengers waiting nearly an hour for the next service—only for that bus to break down en route.
'This is happening all too often,' said Cllr Meyer. 'As a result of this poor service, people are missing medical appointments, arriving late for work, amongst other issues. This situation is simply not acceptable.'
She added: 'Buses are not turning up because a lot of them are breaking down.'
Cllr Meyer also requested that a formal letter be sent from the council to the National Transport Authority (NTA) outlining her concerns.
In response, Meath County Council confirmed that it regularly liaises with the NTA and relevant bus operators regarding routes and service levels throughout the county. The council referred to its County Development Plan, which includes a specific policy (MOV POL 8) supporting regular reviews of the local bus network and advocating for improvements in public transport provision.
However, the Council clarified that responsibility for bus service provision—including scheduling, reliability, and fleet maintenance—ultimately lies with the NTA and the operators, as set out in the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.
The local authority also noted that the NTA has been made aware of the issues raised by Cllr Meyer, and that the council continues to support public transport infrastructure, including the delivery and maintenance of bus stops and shelters.
Elected members, they added, can contact the NTA directly regarding service concerns.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Sinn Féin to lead protest outside GPO today over plans for more shops and offices on site
SINN FÉIN IS holding a protest today in Dublin over proposed changes to the GPO that involve opening more shops and offices on the site. The controversial plans are part of wider efforts to revamp the city centre. However, Sinn Féin has hit out at the , saying it would be better to take a 'visionary approach' to the redesign. Dublin South-Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh told The Journal that if the site is to be repurposed, it should only be for historical and cultural uses, because of it's central role in the Easter Rising of 1916. 'The public are adamant that the GPO is hallowed ground and should be respected, and can play a part in telling our story,' he said. He wasn't prescriptive about the specifics of what should be done with the site, saying instead that a conversation should be had. The GPO already has retail units that open onto Henry Street, which are rented by businesses. There were a number of ideas about what could be a better use of the complex, including a suggestion that it become home to RTÉ. The idea was shot down. Ó Snodaigh says the government needs to be 'imaginative'. 'What Irish people, I believe, are saying is this space should be different to the retail and office space around it. Advertisement 'It could help regenerate and revitalise that part of the city if it was approached properly,' he said. 'There are a lot of cultural institutions around the city that don't have enough space. There are artists with no space. They can't display their wares, they can't do their work. There's a shortage of small venues in the evening time.' The protest, which kicks off at 1pm time today, coincides with the All-Ireland hurling semi-final. Ó Snodaigh hopes the sporting event combined with the good weather will encourage people to join the rally. Revitalising the city centre Bringing the GPO proposal to cabinet last month, the Taoiseach said Dublin has become 'less welcoming' since the pandemic. He said that in recent years safety concerns in the capital have been highlighted. To address this, the Taoiseach proposed that a Designated Activity Company be set up to regenerate parts of the city, similar to the approach taken in the 1990s when Temple Bar was redeveloped. While that is being set up, a Project Management Office will be established by the council to begin the work urgently. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the GPO revamp as 'another shameful betrayal of Ireland's proud revolutionary history'. Junior Minister for Heritage Christopher O'Sullivan said some of the points made by her party in opposing the plan are 'absolutely outrageous' . The Cork South West TD argued that his party and Fine Gael have invested in commemorating the early revolutionary period of the Irish State and noted that €10m has already been invested in the current GPO experience and exhibition. 'We absolutely hold this period of Ireland's history dear to our hearts…Sinn Féin don't own this. They don't own the narrative. We all have a connection to that revolutionary period,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Catherine Connolly becomes first confirmed Presidential candidate
Catherine Connolly has become the first person to officially confirm that she will be running for President of Ireland this year. The race to replace Michael D Higgins has been plagued with people who otherwise would have been prime candidates confirming that they wouldn't be going for the Áras. Ms Connolly, an independent TD in Galway West who was the previous Les-Cheann Comhairle in the Dáil from 2020 to 2024, was the second favourite to succeed fellow Galwegian in Michael D, but nothing had been confirmed — until she said that she will be officially launching her campaign next week after receiving support from left wing parties. Catherine Connolly has become the first person to officially confirm that she will be running for President of Ireland this year. Pic: Oireachtas TV 'Yes, my mind is made up to run,' Deputy Connolly told the Connacht Tribune. 'I've support from across the spectrum, including the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Solidarity, as well as a number of senators and others. 'Labour and Sinn Féin are still completing their own internal processes which I fully respect. I'll be formally launching my campaign next week.' There were talks of Deputy Connolly potentially running from a left-party united front, however Sinn Féin and Labour are yet to decide if they will run a candidate. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald hasn't ruled herself out of going for the Áras, while Labour had approached Joe Duffy to run under their banner — something the former Liveline presenter rejected. Deputy Connolly served as Leas Cheann Comhairle from 2020 to 2024, and has been a previous mayor of Galway. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/ The current favourite to replace Michael D is former MEP Mairead McGuinness, who is expected to run under the Fine Gael ticket once nominations for the party close next week. She is currently running unopposed after Seán Kelly confirmed on Thursday that he wouldn't be seeking the nomination from the party. The bookies currently have Ms McGuinness as evens to win the election, set to take place sometime in October, while Ms Connolly's odds were around 4/1 before she confirmed that she'd run. Mary Lou McDonald appeared to have changed her mind from not wanting to go for it to considering the job earlier this week, and is currently the third favourite to win with odds of 6/1, while former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who hasn't ruled anything out, was sat at around 9/1 odds. Mairead McGuinness is still the favourite to replace Michael D Higgins this November. Pic: Isopix/REX/Shutterstock Mary Hanafin also expressed her desire to run under the Fianna Fáil banner, but nothing has been confirmed by the party at the time of writing.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Catherine Connolly announces bid for the Áras as Social Democrats back presidential campaign
The Galway West TD has been seen as a front-runner in the search for a candidate who could represent a number of parties on the left. The Social Democrats are the first to publicly announce that their members of the Oireachtas will support Ms Connolly in her presidential bid. The National Executive of the Social Democrats last night voted that all of the party's members of the Oireachtas will nominate Ms Connolly for president. "This reflects the strong support throughout the Social Democrats for nominating Catherine Connolly,' a party spokesperson said. 'Catherine has been a tireless advocate for progressive causes and we believe she would make an excellent President.' A presidential candidate must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas to appear on the ballot. The Social Democrats have 11 members of the Oireachtas, with Ms Connolly confirming to the Galway City Tribune that she is also supported by People Before Profit. She said Labour and Sinn Féin are currently going through their own internal processes before nominating a candidate. Ms Connolly told the Galway City Tribune yesterday that she will be 'formally launching' her presidential campaign next week, the Connacht Tribune reports. 'Yes, my mind is made up to run. I've support from across the spectrum, including the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Solidarity, as well as a number of senators and others,' she said. ADVERTISEMENT "Labour and Sinn Féin are still completing their own internal processes which I fully respect. I'll be formally launching my campaign next week.' It comes as Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly ruled himself out of the race yesterday, clearing a path for former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness to win the party nomination. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said his party colleague Ms McGuinness was in "a very strong position" in respect of the party's nomination for the 2025 Presidential election. However, the Dublin TD insisted he would not be endorsing any candidate until after the Fine Gael nomination period concludes on July 17 next. Dr Mike Ryan, the deputy director general of the World Health Organisation, also confirmed to the Irish Independent this week that he has been approached about a potential presidential bid but has not yet been asked to become a candidate. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also opened the door to contesting the presidential election in recent days. Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin has shown interest in seeking her party's nomination, while Unicef Ireland's executive director Peter Power has also signalled his interest to the Fianna Fáil leadership. Former Ireland South MEP Mick Wallace did not rule himself out of the race this week, but said he "certainly wouldn't run' if Ms Connolly was on the ballot.
