OPINION: As a journalist, I try to keep an open mind, but as a commuter, I despair!

Last week we reported on the new and enhanced bus routes in development for Tipperary, writes Shannon Sweeney.

It was a fine announcement for Nenagh, Roscrea, Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel. But not Thurles. Thurles was left behind again.

Nenagh has not one but two new services to Limerick despite having two already. And yet we cannot connect two of the largest towns in the county.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED

When I was 18, I started a course at what was LIT Tipperary (now TUS). It was an ill-fated attempt at a college education, but that’s a story for another day.

It was 2011, and there was one bus route linking Nenagh and Thurles, and it did not run on time to get you in for class at 9am. Now it’s 2023, and I work in Thurles. There is only one bus going to Thurles from Nenagh, and it doesn’t run on time to get commuters in for work at 9am.

To be clear, this is not an attack on that service. It’s actually a very good one.

It’s reliable. It arrives and leaves on time, and the drivers are lovely. It’s just not designed for workers or college students. It’s a pity it’s not better supported.

And one might argue it isn’t the responsibility of private operators to ensure proper public services are available. It’s the Government’s job.

There are two colleges in Thurles. There are plenty of businesses with staff and in need of more. We want less cars on the road, not more. We have a desire to keep people living and working in Tipperary.

So why are our leaders so determined to bus them out?

PART OF THE PROBLEM

I think part of the problem is that the decision makers don’t take the bus. Or the trains for that matter.

They don’t see what’s needed and if they need to get somewhere, they hop in the car.

And for lots of people that is not an option.

For some the cost of a car is prohibitive. And waiting lists for driving tests and NCT assessments are not helping matters.

Some people are concerned about the environmental impact. Others have disabilities that would make it difficult or even impossible to drive.

I roll my eyes every time I hear the Minister talking about encouraging the use of public transport.

And I rolled my eyes at the new route announcement recently. Because in Tipperary we are here waiting for bus stops that never get built. When the next announcement comes, I will write about that too.

Though I’m not holding my breath. As a journalist, I try to keep an open mind. But as a commuter, I despair.