Calls have been made for two separate bus services between Ennis, Shannon and Limerick.
It comes amid criticism from users in the Shannon area, who say the 343 route is a “source of anxiety” for those attempting to travel to work or college.
Bus Éireann says the service is currently under review, however, as Clare FM’s Seán Lyons reports.
If you’ve ever worked in Shannon, studied in Limerick or had to get to Ennis from anywhere in the county, chances are you’ve had to avail of the 343 at some point.
The route runs from Ennis to Limerick via Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon and Bunratty with twice daily stop-offs in Sixmilebridge and Quin.
While customer usage of the service is up 60% since before the pandemic, this isn’t necessarily an indication of customer satisfaction.
Many service users have experienced buses turning up late, not stopping at designated stops, being at capacity on arrival while “no-show” or “ghost” buses have also been noted.
Shannon resident Eleanor Kingston, who relies on the service because she doesn’t drive, says she’s often found herself waiting at the side of the road for the bus to arrive.
Bus Éireann claims the 343 service has operated 99.5% of planned kilometres in recent periods and has attributed delays to increased traffic congestion on the route.
As of the beginning of the year, double-decker buses have been introduced to the service as a means of boosting capacity.
Aoife Bennett-Murray, who also lives in Shannon, had to get the 343 when studying in Limerick and still remembers the mental toll it took on her.
As part of the National Transport Authority’s Connecting Ireland project, the level and frequency of the 343 service is currently being reviewed with a view to offer a better service in the future.
Protests against the way in which the service operates have been held in recent years and many have proposed splitting it in two, with one route going from Ennis to Shannon and another from Shannon to Limerick.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District and Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan thinks if Bus Éireann senior management experienced the service for themselves, they’d understand the need for it to improve.
You can listen to the full interview here:
