Sir, - On Friday, June 30th I had occasion to take the Dundalk-Galway bound bus from Mullingar to Moate. This was due at 12.50 p.m. and those who awaited it were, like myself, at the bus stop 10 minutes beforehand. We (mostly women of a certain age) waited and waited, standing on the footpath, until the bus eventually arrived 40 minutes late, with the result that we had been standing (some of us with bad backs) for 50 minutes. I am sure the bus driver's excuse of gridlock was a valid one. One has no quarrel with him.
But what I do question, once more with feeling, is why in Heaven's name:
(a) is there neither seat nor shelter at the bus stop in Mullingar? We were fortunate that the day was fine. Had it been spilling rain, snowing or blowing a gale, we would all have been drenched and frozen to the bone.
(b) Iarnrod/Bus Eireann does not have the wit to locate the bus stop at the newly refurbished railway station in Mullingar, where travellers could enjoy the normal civilised courtesy of resting their bones, finding out why the delay, getting in touch with their families, or relaxing with a cup of coffee?
The treatment of public transport users in this country is nothing short of scandalous. Third World conditions prevail, and we are so cowed and voiceless that we actually put up with them, with a resigned shrug, as if we are not worthy of better. This is not good enough in our 21st century. Has anything changed since the days of the Bianconi cars of the 19th century?
But then, well-upholstered Ministers and Government bods have chauffeured Mercs (at our expense) under their posteriors, so why should they give a thought to the inconvenience and sufferings of the mere hoi-polloi? Why indeed? - Yours, etc.,
Vera Hughes, Moate, Co Westmeath.