Residents in Thurles, Co. Tipperary are becoming increasingly frustrated at the continued absence of even one proper bus stop in the town centre or in the surrounding areas.
In the heart of Thurles, recent half-finished street upgrades have already removed up to 80% of available parking. For those depending on public transport, the situation is even worse: commuters are left with no proper designated public transport areas. Passengers now huddle beneath the overhead canopy of the AIB Bank, for limited shelter on wet days, or under the entrance of a canopy at Thurles Garda Station on Slievenamon Road, where buses are forced to double-park and block traffic – putting road users at further risk.
With winter fast approaching, this lack of basic infrastructure disproportionately affects families, students, older people, and anyone without access to a car. Something as simple as a sheltered bus stop would protect waiting passengers from rain and wind, while providing a safer, more accessible public transport system.
It is astonishing that in 2025, a town the size of Thurles still lacks such a fundamental amenity. This neglect hurts business footfall as much as residents on the move. While the government can allocate €336,000 for a covered shed supporting 36 bike spaces outside Dáil Éireann, surely the cost of installing a few bus shelters in Thurles would be only a fraction of that amount.
Beyond serving commuters, shelters in Thurles could even generate revenue. Advertising panels – whether static posters or digital displays – could provide income for Tipperary Co. Council itself while also improving currently decreasing town centre business.
The consequences of inaction are already clear. More people are resorting to driving, increasing congestion. Local shops are losing customers who might otherwise travel in by bus. Vulnerable groups – particularly the elderly, young people, and those on low incomes – are being left isolated. Businesses argue that this lack of provision is not just inconvenient, but unsafe, as passengers are forced to stand on busy pavements in poor weather with no protection.
This is a matter of fairness and safety. Public transport users in Thurles are not demanding the luxuries afforded to Leinster House – just the bare minimum: safe, accessible bus stops that connect the town to the wider region. Without them, Thurles will continue to fall behind.
We read that Tipperary County Council, in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office, is inviting applications from Town Centre Teams, Trader Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Community Groups, Farmers Markets, Craft Markets, or those involved in the craft sector under the Christmas Retail Support Programme. This grant scheme, (View Application Form Here) they believe, will support towns and villages to implement activities aimed at boosting or retaining Christmas spending. Yet this approach rings hollow. It represents a deliberate waste of public money (for really just a 30 day promotion), when parking spaces in medium size town centres like Thurles are being eradicated, leaving shoppers with fewer options. Without convenient parking or public transport facilities, people will simply turn to online shopping for what appears to be cheaper shopping options – undermining the very local retail trade this scheme claims to protect. [Do remember the phrase ” Buy Cheaper – Buy Twice”.]
It is time for Tipperary County Council, transport authorities, and national decision-makers to act. Bus stop facilities are not an optional extra – they are an essential part of building a connected, inclusive, and sustainable community.
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