Sinn Féin TD for Waterford Conor McGuinness and local Sinn Féin Councillor Kate O’Mahoney have expressed serious concern at confirmation that Bus Éireann will remove its stops at Grange and Piltown Cross from 31 October — describing the move as a “significant blow to rural connectivity and another example of how State agencies are leaving West Waterford behind.”
Deputy McGuinness said the decision appears linked to road safety concerns raised by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), but he warned that the Government has failed for years to deliver the safety upgrades needed along the N25.
“This is exactly the kind of situation I have been warning about for years. I have repeatedly raised the need for proper safety works and junction improvements along the N25 — at Grange, Piltown Cross, and other dangerous sections. Those calls have consistently fallen on deaf ears. Now, instead of delivering the upgrades that are long overdue, TII and the Department have taken the lazy option and simply removed a public transport service that local people depend on.”
He said the change would have a significant impact on residents in Ardmore, Grange, and Piltown who rely on public transport to access work, education, and services.
“This decision will deepen rural isolation, force more people into cars, and make it harder for older people and students to get to Dungarvan, Youghal, Cork or Waterford. Communities in this part of the county were already hit by the top-down changes to Local Link services late last year. People here feel abandoned by a system that refuses to plan properly for rural areas.”
Cllr. Kate O’Mahoney said there is deep frustration locally at the lack of consultation and the sense that West Waterford continues to be treated as an afterthought.
“People in Grange, Ardmore and Piltown are proud, resilient communities. But they have every right to feel angry. Time and again decisions are made over their heads — decisions that make daily life harder. The removal of the Bus Éireann stop is just the latest example of how this area is being left behind.”
She added: “The bus stop in Grange is an essential transport link for the local community, serving people with a wide range of needs. It provides vital access to hospitals in Cork and Waterford for those attending medical appointments, it supports young people travelling to college, helping them pursue education and training opportunities, and it also enables workers to commute to their jobs. Any reduction in bus services directly contradicts national and local aims to encourage people to use public transport.”
Deputy McGuinness and Cllr. O’Mahoney confirmed they have sought urgent meetings with Bus Éireann, TII, and Waterford City and County Council officials to press for the decision to be reviewed and for long-promised road safety works to be prioritised.
“This is about fairness and respect for rural communities,” Deputy McGuinness said. “We will continue to challenge the neglect and indifference that have left this part of West Waterford cut off from basic transport and infrastructure. Sinn Féin will keep fighting for proper investment in safety, connectivity and services — and for rural communities to be heard and valued.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 