A Killarney councillor has said the lack of connectivity between the town’s bus and train stations is nothing short of a “Kerryman” joke.
Kerry Independent Alliance councillor John O’Donoghue made the remark at the recent Killarney Municipal District meeting.
Killarney bus and train stations are right beside each other at the Killarney Outlet Centre, but passengers must exit the stations and walk around the outlet centre to go between them.
Cllr O’Donoghue told the meeting this is an annual feature on the agenda, and that the two stations are so close without any link between them is nothing short of a “Kerry man” joke.
He said watching tourists be told where the two stations are and how to go between them is like something from a hidden camera show.
He requested the council again writes to Iarnród Éireann to ask for a footbridge between the rail and bus stations.
He also asked for an update on the discussions between Kerry County Council, Iarnród Éireann, and the Killarney Outlet Centre to provide pedestrian access at the end of the platform without having to walk onto the road.
Last year, the National Transport Authority confirmed a pedestrian bridge with lifts, stairs, and connecting walkways would not proceed as it had an estimated cost of between €3 and €5 million.
Cllr O’Donoghue said all that’s needed is a hole in the fence at the end of the train platform.
MD manager Martin O’Donoghue said the overall cost of a grand-plan for the stations was too high to represent value for money, as it needed more space for lifts which are disability-friendly.
He said the council is engaging with Irish Rail and the outlet centre trying to find a resolution that’s acceptable, and all three parties are willing to find that resolution.
Mr O’Donoghue said if they’re doing it, it has to be done right and cannot be as simple as a hole in the fence.
