Bus Éireann accused of 'ending lifeline' with axing of national route

Sarah Slater

A mother, who has two visually impaired young adult children, has described the move by Bus Éireann to cancel one of three routes across the country “as ending their lifeline and independence”.

Fiona McCusker, a single mother who lives in Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny, who has three children, two of whom are living with albinism, Megan (22) and James (19), depends on the service, as there are no train services and private bus operators covering the area they live in.

Bus Éireann is to cease operating three of its Expressway services from Sunday, May 24th.

The services that are to be withdrawn include Waterford - Dublin/Dublin Airport (Route 4), Rosslare/Wexford - Waterford (Route 40 Segment), and Ballina - Galway (Route 52).

The bus operator has blamed "significant" financial losses that the services are accruing for the reason behind the decision to axe the routes.

McCusker, a nurse in St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny explained that there was “no prior consultation with any locals here”.

She explained: “This route isn’t just a convenience for us – it’s essential. My two visually impaired young adults rely on this service every day, especially as I work Monday to Friday and cannot always be there to bring them where they need to go. They will never be able to drive.

“Decisions like this completely overlook rural communities and people with additional needs. It’s taking away the little bit of independence they have.

"Their lives revolved around Ballyhale and having such a bus service helped them gain some of their own independence. There has to be more consideration for those who depend on public transport as a lifeline, not a luxury.”

“If only they had signalled the route was going to be stopped several months ago we could have at least been looking at some sort of alternatives if they exist.

"I just don’t know how much more families such as ours and normal working families, pensioners, students can take. We are not machines that can easily work around body blows like this.”

Her son James will be starting college in the South Eastern Technological University (SETU) Carlow in September, and was depending on the bus, as was her daughter Megan, who helps out with Vision Ireland in Dublin as does James.

“Megan and James are absolutely shocked by the move as am I. I thought I had them both sorted with college and work access. Even if I can get them to the train in Kilkenny city or Thomastown the timetable won’t work.

"Plus because of the condition they live with they find it very difficult to see things, such as seats.”

'Serious blow' to communities

Local Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has slammed the move.

Deputy Cleere described the move as “a serious blow to communities” across Carlow and Kilkenny.

Deputy Cleere explained that the route “isn’t just a bus line - it’s a vital link for workers, students, and families who rely on affordable, reliable public transport every day.

“At a time when people are already under pressure from rising costs, removing daily services and cutting off key stops in our towns and villages is deeply concerning.

“Students travelling to college, people commuting to work, and those accessing healthcare or Dublin Airport will all be impacted. We need solutions — not further isolation of rural communities.”

Party colleague councillor Deirdre Cullen added: “This is a huge blow for rural connectivity in Kilkenny and surroundings. It’s not good enough to pull essential transport infrastructure that many rely on to go to work, to college, to health appointments etc.

Cllr Cullen highlighted that “on the one hand we are to encourage more use of public transport and to leave the car at home, if you have a car, but then see options reduced and taking this choice away for many. To make matters worse it’s coming at a time when petrol and diesel prices are soaring.”

She is calling on the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to install a replacement bus service for the Dublin to Waterford Expressway Route 4 as a matter of urgency.

“Public transport is supposed to serve the public. We deserve adequate public transport provision in rural Kilkenny and should be investing in increasing the provision of services, not reducing them,” Cllr Cullen noted.

The NTA has been notified about the move.

Bus Éireann were contacted for further comment.