TD calls for urgent rollout of bus stops right across Offaly

FINE Gael TD for Offaly, Deputy John Clendennen has called for the provision of proper bus stop infrastructure in every town and village across Offaly where public transport services operate with a particular focus on the Local Link network.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Deputy Clendennen raised the issue directly with officials from the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority (NTA), questioning why towns and villages served by Local Link remain without visible, designated bus stops.

“Local Link is a fantastic service connecting rural communities, but the absence of bus stops means that many people don’t know when or where to access it,” said Clendennen. “It creates confusion and reduces the visibility of a service we should be encouraging more people to use.”

In response, the NTA acknowledged the importance of clear, accessible bus stops and confirmed that funding of €500,000 has been allocated to each local authority for the development of new bus stops, enhancements, and shelters with the option of reallocating further funds where necessary.

Following on from this, Deputy Clendennen has written to Offaly County Council seeking an update on the towns and villages identified for bus stop installation, the type of infrastructure planned for each location (e.g. bus shelter, pole with sign and timetable, etc.), the estimated cost of the rollout and the expected timeline for delivery across all relevant areas.

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“As a councillor, I championed this initiative and as a TD I will continue to do so. Bus stop infrastructure is not a luxury; it’s essential. It improves accessibility, increases awareness, and ultimately boosts passenger numbers. That, in turn, justifies more investment in public transport particularly in rural Ireland.”

Clendennen emphasised that this issue goes beyond transport: “It’s about connecting communities, improving rural mobility, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, can benefit from a reliable and visible public transport network.”