Donegal is to get wheelchair accessible bus stops begin later this year.
Deputy Thomas Pringle has received confirmation from the National Transport Authority that Bus Eireann routes 30 & 32 Dublin – Donegal/Letterkenny will be fitted with the bus stops.
The Independent TD also confirmed that construction on the Lifford stop has already begun.
Further work to commence as part of the National Transport Authority’s commitment to install wheelchair accessible stops in every town in Ireland with a population of over 1,000 people.
Speaking on the news, Deputy Pringle said it’s encouraging to hear that wheelchair accessibility on bus routes has reached design stage and has already reached construction stage at Lifford.
He said “Many people including myself have been campaigning for this for a long time. This will mean a great deal for people who need wheelchairs for mobility reasons, it could mean the difference of a more independent life”.
Designs have been completed for bus stops at Ardee, Virginia, Cavan bus station, Ballyshannon, Donegal, Castleblaney, Monaghan bus station and Lifford.
Plans are also in preparation for the provision of wheelchair accessible bus stops at Drogheda bus station as well as Spiddal, Moycullen, Oughterard and Clifden in Co. Galway, sites which the Irish Wheelchair Association have marked as most urgent for upgrades.
“The NTA have indicated that future construction of bus stops will depend on the availability of adequate funding. I hope that funding will be secured for the future roll out of wheelchair accessible bus stops across Donegal and Ireland. I will continue to lobby on this issue and seek assurances that funding for this scheme will be secured well into the future.
“Transport mobility is one aspect in assisting people lead more independent lives and I will continue to work on the wider issue of increasing supports for people with disabilities in other areas including health and in the work place” concludes Pringle.
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