DCU - Most expensive bus stop in Ireland?

redout

This bus stop cost €170,000 to build. Politicians want to know how such a bill can be justified

COUNCILLORS last night said they were "flabbergasted" to discover €170,000 was spent on a new bus stop and shelter, more than the cost of a two-bed apartment in Dublin.

The "crazy" spending by cash-strapped Dublin City Council took place despite massive cuts imposed by the council in recent months.

The bill for the stop outside Dublin City University (DCU), on Collins Avenue, came to €100,000, including the "upgrading" of the stop for wheelchair use. But the cost swelled by a further €70,000 because of "coincidental" works, said officials.

The actual bus shelter itself was provided by Bus Eireann, at a cost of around €30,000, but the taxpayer did not have to pay this sum as it was financed by advertising revenue.

The mammoth spend comes despite stringent cutbacks by the council. Last year it introduced €30m in spending cuts -- a move which included a 5pc cut across many services.

But last night independent Dublin councillor Cieran Perry called for an investigation into the cost of the bus stop.

"I am flabbergasted and stunned at the crazy amount spent on this project," he said.

"There should be an immediate investigation launched into this to ensure the money was legitimately spent."

Dublin city manager John Tierney recently admitted income looked like it would fall further next year and it is understood the council is facing into a potential €25m deficit for 2011.

In a bid to save €1m, plans were drawn up this year for the controversial closure of swimming pools at Sean McDermott Street, Crumlin and Coolock in June.

Difficulties
However, following an intense campaign by locals, €300,000 was found to keep them open until the end of the year -- but their future is uncertain.
Figures released by the council show that €100,000 of the bus stop bill was spent on re-laying electrical cables, uprooting seven trees, planting replacement trees in a new location and moving an existing bus stop to make room for dedicated car-parking spaces for wheelchair users. A low wall had to be built to hold in earth that was disturbed behind the shelter, while the existing bus stop was upgraded with a new surface, pole and sign.

The €70,000 spend included the laying of 200 metres of footpaths in front of DCU, re-planting grassy areas in front of the college and installing public lights.

The costs are believed to have soared because of unforeseen difficulties with the bus stop's location.

The bill will ultimately be paid by the taxpayer, as the cost will be reimbursed to Dublin City Council by the Department of Transport.
Last night, a spokeswoman for Dublin City Council refused to comment on calls for an investigation into the upgrade.

The Department of Transport also refused to comment on the revelations.

Independent

Cy_Revenant

I was wondering why they were digging up that whole side of the street.

Benny Lava

Independent wrote:

including the "upgrading" of the stop for wheelchair use

DCUfm eat your hearts out!

Dj Stiggie

What routes even serve that stop?

robby^5

Only the finest for DCU.

phasers

Does that bus stop even get used?

They should have extended the Ballymun Road one if they're doing up DCU bus stops, on a rainy day there could be dozens of people crammed in there and more stuck out in the rain

KenHy

It's a Bus Eirean one, the 109a to Navan goes by there, don't think anything else does though.

Complete waste, why would anyone who has a car, drive to a bus stop in the city and get the bus? none the less a person with mobility problems! Complete waste. I'm all for park and ride facilities, but normally you don't build them at the place people get the bus too!

phantom_lord

KenHy wrote: »

I'm all for park and ride facilities, but normally you don't build them at the place people get the bus too!

Cy_Revenant

Along with the 109A to Navan, the Dublin Bus 104 to Clontarf also stops there.

Micilin Muc

When I heard of this extravagant bus-stop, I presumed they installed it at the Ballymun Road entrance. I can't believe it's actually on one of Dublin Bus's quietest routes.

Daysha

A few things...

The 104 that serves there connects Cappagh Hospital and Beaumount Hospital. With the parking facilities in DCU it now serves as a park-and-ride facilities for disabled passengers to either of the hospitals. It's very easy for DCU students to sit here and assume the money should've been spent on bus stops that we use more regularly but there are far more needy people in the city, disabled facilities in Dublin generally is a disgrace.

Also according to the C&T forum a ton of HEAnet cabling had to be re-wired to carry out the work, not to mention a much needed cleanup of that surrounding area.

That article chooses to exclude those pieces of info, but with a story originating from The Sunday Indepedent its hardly surprising.

KenHy

phantom_lord wrote: »

The vast majority of that bus stops users are going too DCU, hence there is no point in building parking facilities there.

As for people using it as a park and ride, Beuamount and Cappagh have car parks, why would you drive to a bus stop less than a mile from your destination and proceed to complete your journey by bus on one of the most infrequent and unreliable routes in the city? It doesn't make sense!

Hauk

Money well spent.

Mill21

I've been getting the 109a for the last 3 years. I thought it was odd that that bus stop was dug up for so long. I don't remember anything unusable about it. expect for the lack of bin. Thought I was gas when I read this in the paper. It's not a very busy bus stop, 10 people max at like 5pm going home. The one on ballymun road could do with more work since its busier.Very odd thing to do.
Nothing wrong with giving disabled access, but I've never seen anyone on that bus in a wheelchair in 3 years of getting that bus everyday. Even during the summer. Despite the fact it serivces the airport. Those wheelchair parking spaces are a bit odd. Where are they parking to go to? DCU? Take the bus to Navan, houses in the area?

johnmcdnl

they made it wheelchair accesible by drawing a wheelchair on the ground with paint :pac: and it cost 170000 for them to do it - god paint is expensive these days :pac::pac:

etcetc

Drive by this everyday and it very rare to actually see a bus at it, i do see the doc morris delivery vans making good use of it

Has anybody any idea what is going on at the gates just after the bus stop. The scaffolding and builders have been there for months , they have 2 or 3 lads scratching about doing little or nothing , would the builder be charging this out by the hour rather than a fixed price?