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Councillor highlights need for bus service


THE provision of a bus service for Ennis was back on the agenda for Ennis Town Council recently with one local councillor saying that some locals could be “cut off” from the town centre because of a lack of transport.
At a recent meeting of the council, Councillor Johnny Flynn urged the local authority, in co-operation with Clare County Council, to prepare a transport and mobility plan for Ennis and its environs to include consideration of, among other items, a town bus system and an Ennis Bike Scheme.
The councillor also suggested that the bus system could possibly be electric.
Councillor Flynn told the meeting, “Up to 40% of the population of the town don’t have access to private cars and with the economic decline, a lot of people are living in areas that are cut off”.
He said results from the Ennis 2020 hub strategy visioning exercise highlight the need for a bus service and he insisted Ennis would be an ideal sized town to run a bike rent scheme similar to what has been seen in Dublin.
“I have spoken to some agents in shopping centres and some have said there would be an appetite for this,” he said.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Paul O’Shea, who stated, “Transport systems are very important and should be looked into in more detail”. He urged the local authority to meet with Bus Éireann to discuss a possible bus service for the town.
“Perhaps the Galway bus when it comes through the town could pick up paying passengers. That is something that should be explored. This is one of the biggest towns in Munster and this should be looked at,” he said.
Councillor Frankie Neylon referred to proposals by Minister Alan Kelly that school buses could be used during the day as part of a realignment of rural transport services.
“There are school buses parked every day in the area and there could be other ways of using them. The buses could be used in a town like ourselves,” he said.
Leonard Cleary, town clerk, responded to the notice of motion by saying, “The transport and mobility needs of customers to Ennis are constantly evolving and require review in the context of available resources.
“This proposal could also be considered in the forthcoming review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, which is due to commence at the end of 2012. On a related matter the Ennis parking bylaws will be reviewed during 2012 to take account of key challenges, customer needs and regulation in the current circumstances.”

 

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