LABOUR Party councillor Padraigh Reale wants to see Transport For Ireland (TFI) officially recognise the Pennywell bus stop on the 304A route between University of Limerick (UL) and Mungret Park.
Cllr Reale described his proposal at the March meeting of the Metropolitan District as a simple one, and one he has received a number of representations on.
He told Council members that while it is generally acknowledged that most drivers do recognise the stop, some continue on to the stop at St John’s Hospital and ignore the Pennywell stop.
“This is causing some inconvenience to bus users and some general confusion. So it poses the question, is this actually a stop or not?,” Cllr Reale asked.
“This stop acts as a key point for residents of Pennywell, Clare Street, and some areas of Corbally and Rhebogue, and it’s very frustrating when the bus fails stop at this point. It is also the nearest point to O’Brien’s Park, which is arguably as used as the People’s Park these days.”
The City North representative asked the Council to write to TFI to inform them that the Pennywell bus stop is marked as part of the 304A route.
Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara supported the motion and also called for greater interconnectivity between colleges and universities in Limerick.
“With the student housing crisis as well, we’ve got people who are actually trying to get from Raheem to UL or they’re going to LSAD (Limerick School of Art and Design). It’s right outside O’Brien’s Park and residents just want to go to the Crescent, and the busses shouldn’t be driving past it,” he insisted.
Aontú councillor Sarah Beasley told Council management that there is a lot of elderly people living in Pennywell and deemed it hugely important that the bus stop is recognised, saying:
“They should have the ability to stand for a bus and not have to walk down to St John’s Hospital as it is a little walk if you have a disability or you are elderly.”