Renewed call for provision of bus shelters in Drumkeerin

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has said that it is “not clear” if Drumkeerin is suitable for the provision of bus shelters but said that it will work in “collaboration” with the Council to “examine this matter more fully”. At the recent Manorhamilton MD meeting Cllr Padraig Fallon again highlighted the need for bus shelters in the village.

He was told that Leitrim County Council’s Active Travel team carried out a survey of all bus stop locations in the county and this information was submitted to the NTA last April for shelters to be provided under the Bus Shelter Programme. NTA responded to the recommendation for a bus shelter by stating that “based on an initial desktop review of the stop locations in Drumkeerin it is not clear if the location is suitable for the provision of bus shelters…., in particular the impact on affected parties/adjacent premises.
“In fact, in the case of Drumkeerin it is not entirely clear as to where a shelter(s) may be accommodated and any decision around an appropriate location will involve stakeholder engagement. However, the NTA in collaboration with Leitrim County Council will examine this matter more fully to establish if a workable solution can be arrived at during the preparation of the bus shelter programme for Co Leitrim.”

Active Travel spoke with the NTA on November 9, and was informed that Leitrim County Council’s bus shelter programme will commence in early 2023.
“The next step is for the NTA to direct JCDecaux (the bus shelter provider) to carry out a survey in Drumkeerin to see if there is a suitable location for a bus shelter. Active Travel have requested that the NTA put Drumkeerin on the top of the survey priority list when they commence in Leitrim,” noted a spokesperson for the Council.
Cllr Fallon said that he welcomed the news that “some progress” is being made on the provision of the bus shelters but said “I thought the same two years ago” and nothing further happened.
“People using bus services are left trying to shelter from the elements especially at this time of year,” he noted adding that there is “every age group” using public transport and the shelters are vital.
He also stated that local business people had no issues with the installation of bus shelters and he believed this should speed up the process for towns like Drumkeerin.
Cllr Mary Bohan backed the call for the bus shelters adding that Rural Link services were increasing and so the demand for shelters is also rising.
“We need to get this done as soon as possible,” she said.