Meeting sought over Local Link bus stops

Local Link has been called on to look at installing more bus stops in a bid to encourage use of the services.

Councillors discussed the service at their May monthly meeting where Cllr Philip Brady (FF) said people want it to “stop outside their house”.

He said many elderly people, in particular, cannot get to bus stops as they may live alone and don’t have transport and “can’t get on the bus at their own doorstep”, even though the vehicle may be passing.

His motion called on Cavan County Council to arrange a meeting with the Local Link service to “look at potential new bus stops in the county”. Cllr Aiden Fitzpatrick (FF) agreed and broadened the discussion to the proposed Bus Éireann services linking Cootehill and Bailieborough.

“The 108 will only stop at Bailieborough and Cootehill. What do you do if you’re halfway between? It’s a pointless route if you can’t get on a bus in between.”

Fine Gael’s Winston Bennett said he’s been contacted by people in the Cashel Cross area who have to backtrack to Ballinagh to avail of Local Link services, despite the bus to Cavan Town passing their homes.

“It’s ridiculous. If they’re not prepared to stop outside the door it’s not going to work.”

Cllr TP O’Reilly (FG) said the issue was “defeating the whole purpose” of the Local Link services, while his colleague Cllr Trevor Smith said the service had “moved away from its original purpose” of linking smaller towns to bigger towns.