Staff at Sunhill Nursing Home in Termonfeckin are calling on Bus Éireann to make slight changes to the timetable of the 168 bus service from Drogheda to Dundalk which stops in Termonfeckin and Dundalk.
As things stand with the current bus scheduled times, the Sunhilll staff have the option of either arriving an hour early for work or 15-20 minutes late.
“A slight change in the timings can make a huge difference in our lives and those of our families,” said Brighty Joseph of Sunhill Nursing Home.
The staff turned to local Councillor Declan Power to help them get this matter sorted and he has written to the North Eastern Region of Bus Éireann and asked them to consider making the necessary amendments to the 168 timetable.
“The amendments would mean tweaking the timetable by 10-15 minutes to suit commuters who must get to work or school on time or bring home a little earlier” Cllr. Power said.
“I’m also asking Bus Éireann to provide double-decker or extra buses to cope with the demand during peak times.
“Parents have told me that students have been left on the side of the road waiting up to an hour for the next bus to arrive due to lack of space and they’re still not guaranteed a seat when that bus arrives.”
Most of the staff members at Sunhill live in the Drogheda area and this small tweak to the timetable on the 168 route would make all of their lives easier as this service is the only public transport option open to them.
“Like all nursing homes, Sunhill operates 24/7. “Our shifts are 08:00 to 20:00 and 20:00 to 08:00. We love using the service, but it needs to improve to support the demand” Cllr. Power said.
“The weekend Bus Service is limited on Saturday and non-existent on Sunday. Some staff try carpooling or sharing a taxi when they can, which is sensible, but it doesn’t always work.
Staff nurse Chandine Nair agreed. “An individual could pay €40 -€50 for a cab on the weekends, especially when the shift ends at 20:00” she said.
“I understand that changes to timetabling can be difficult and troublesome, but those in logistics need to listen to the commuters who use the service, which is helping to make it better.
“Whether you are in employment, a student, a shopper, a socialiser or you just want to visit the beach on a Sunday, if the demand to improve or change is there it should be explored to make it happen.”
Cllr. Power said: “I have had a positive response from the Northern Regional Office, but ultimately, any changes to timetables or extra buses are done via the National Transport Authority.
“I have liaised with the NTA through the Oireachtas Liaison this week, and I look forward to their response” he concluded.
