[PR] Cullen opens Tralee's new €1.8 million fully accessible Bus Éireann bus station

Cullen opens Tralee's new €1.8 million fully accessible Bus Éireann bus station
26 February 2007

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, TD, was in Tralee today (Monday 26 February 2007) where he officially opened Bus Éireann's new Bus Station located at John Joe Sheehy Road next to Tralee Railway Station.

The new two-storey Bus Station is fully accessible and contains all of the required current accessibility features and systems needed within a modern bus station facility. Features include automatic doors, counter loop systems, ramped footpaths and accessible washrooms designed to facilitate use of the station and freedom of movement for those with mobility impairments.

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the EU at a cost of €1.885 million, the station was designed by international architects Pascal and Watson. Building work was carried out by the Castleisland-based contractors Griffin Brothers. Construction of the 440 square metre building began in 2005 and was completed at the end of 2006.

Eight hundred and seventy thousand passengers have been using Tralee Bus Station on an annual basis, - when it was part of the Railway Station - and this new facility will be in a position to cater for all of those passengers and the 5% increase in passenger growth expected each year.

Speaking today in Tralee, Minister Cullen said: "A key priority of my Department is the development and upgrading of public transport and public transport facilities. Bus Éireann have been engaged over several years in upgrading bus stations throughout the country, to make them more attractive to customers generally but in particular, to make them more accessible. Accessibility is a matter of primary concern across all transport projects. Accessible transport can make the difference between people being able to participate fully in social and economic life, and not being able to participate. The Government is committed to promoting social inclusion and this was our aim when we brought in the Disability Act 2005 and associated Sectoral Plans".

It is envisaged that most Bus Éireann stations will have been brought up to accessibility standards by the end of 2007. Bus Éireann has also been providing disability awareness training both for its own staff and for contractors.

Congratulating CIÉ Chairman, Dr John Lynch and Bus Éireann's 104 Tralee-based employees on the new Station, Minister Cullen said: "It gives me great pleasure to open this new state-of-the-art Bus Station here in the heart of Kerry. Buses are a vital part of our transport system. They are a lifeline for many communities. That is why this Government is investing in providing better services and improved facilities for bus passengers in all our regions, not just Dublin."

Under Transport 21, the Government investment programme for transport, the Government has approved funding for Bus Éireann to expand its services throughout the country. The Minister said: "As part of its development plans, Bus Éireann is planning to buy 29 new buses for its services in the Limerick and Tralee areas. I am happy to say that exchequer funding has already been provided for 16 of those buses as part of €50 million approved by the Government last September for Bus Éireann to increase the number of buses in its fleet".

Bus Éireann is an important contributor to the local economy in Tralee, employing some 104 staff with more employed during the summer season. The Bus Éireann bus services out of Tralee are extensive there are 29 expressway departures each day from Tralee including an hourly service to Cork. During the summer months, there are additions to the timetable for tourists, including departures to the Cliffs of Moher, Glengarriff and the Ring of Kerry. The company also provide services that connect to Cork, Shannon and Kerry Airports.