[Letter] PUBLIC TRANSPORT SHORTCOMINGS

[Navan Junction]

Irish Times, 01.05.06

Madam, - Returning to this litter-strewn country once again after a number of years' absence brings with it the usual surprises, most of them unpleasant.

On a recent day trip to Dublin, Bus Éireann in particular opened by eyes to how far Ireland has yet to progress in terms of transport integration and transport policy in general. My first surprise was being told that a return ticket to Waterford was no longer available from Tramore, where I began my journey. My second surprise was to find that this bus service no longer served the train station. When enquiring as to what service included the train station the third surprise emerged - no service existed! And certainly no apology for this lack of service.

On returning to Waterford later that day the unedifying sight of a frail old lady dragging her bag 500 metres from the train station across seven busy exposed thoroughfares of the city to make her bus connection was enough to bring my blood to boil.

The Minister of Transport, who ironically comes from this neck of the woods, will probably lay these decisions on some inept middle-management in the organisation, but ultimately it is his portfolio and his responsibility for this débâcle, and the responsibility therefore lies with him to address this nonsense.

Just for a moment I thought that if the people of Waterford were so passive as to accept this state of play then it was nothing less than they deserved, but perhaps rather sadly they are just so brow-beaten to no longer care. - Yours, etc,

KIERAN AYLWARD, Tramore, Co Waterford.