THE new bus service for Letterkenny is set to roll into operation within a month, ending years of delay in the provision of a proper transport facility in the town.
The service will initially involve three separate routes with pick-up and drop-off points at the Quality Court Hotel, the Ramada, and Sister Sara's. Two buses will be deployed to start off the new service but the providers will advertise for more drivers to boost the service.
The respective routes cover a wide outlying area of Letterkenny and the service will run from Monday to Saturday.
Described this week as a "vital lifeline" for the town and its population, there was a further boost for its provision with the revelation that the bus pass scheme will be in operation.
The transport provider will be Seamus Doherty from Dungloe with funding secured for its operation through Junior Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher, according to local Town Councillor Jean Crossan who, along with her Council colleagues, warmly welcomed the development this week.
The timetable for the service was presented to members at their meeting on Monday night with the buses running from 7am right through to 7pm.
Acknowledging the contribution of the Minister and Dr. James McDaid and the Town Clerk and his assistant, Cllr Crossan expressed her delight that the bus service was finally coming on stream after a long number of years without any such transport facility in Letterkenny.
"The people need to use it to help make it viable. The fact that the bus passes are also coming into being is also important," she said.
Stating that the extensive timetable was impressive, she maintained it represented a worthwhile service for the whole town which would help alleviate some of the traffic problems.
Cllr Victor Fisher said he was sure people would use it given that they had been "crying out" for it for long enough.
Cllr Dessie Larkin said that all of the Council members had been seeking the provision of such a service but Cllr Crossan had been more associated with it than anybody and had taken "more flack" over it than anybody.
"She kept it going and is to be commended for this. It's an important service for a lot of people including the elderly and for students," said Cllr Larkin who voiced the hope that a pick-up point might be considered at the Courtyard Shopping Centre to help enhance shopping along the Main Street.
He pointed to the success of the Letterkenny to Ballybofey bus service which ran until 4.a.m. and said the Cara House group in Letterkenny would particularly welcome the new town service.
Labelling it "great news", Cllr. Gerry McMonagle said a lot of local groups would be delighted with its provision as they had lobbied for it for a long number of years.
"It's great that it covers most of the outlying areas of the town," he said adding that they needed to provide bus stops and low kerbs to make it accessible.
"It's also great to hear that bus passes will be allowed to be used on the service eventually."
Cllr Damian Blake backed a suggestion from Cllr Larkin that a stop at the Council offices on the Blaney Road be included.
"The routes are very good on the timetable but there are some areas that have been excluded. For instance, the service doesn't cross over the Oldtown Bridge and I'd like to see that covered."
He hoped the Council would be able to deliver on the new timetable.
Cllr Neil Clarke described the scheduled new service as a "vital lifeline" for the town and said it would be beneficial for everyone.
Town Mayor, Cllr Ciaran Brogan also congratulated Cllr Crossan for her persistence in seeing that the service was set up and hoped that the Council could provide the proper infrastructure to maintain it.
