‘Concerning degradation’ of public transport in Donegal - Donegal News

THERE has been a “concerning degradation” of public transport in Donegal, with Glen village not having a bus service since July.

THERE has been a “concerning degradation” of public transport in Donegal, it is claimed.

The comment came from Independent councillor Declan Meehan, who has called for a meeting with the National Transport Authority (NTA).

At a meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District (MD) yesterday, Cllr Meehan outlined Glen village as an example of public transport issues in the district.

In a motion, he asked: “That this Council will write to the NTA outlining our concern that Glen has no public transport link since July 2026, due to changes on the 974 route”.

He also requested a meeting with the NTA to discuss what he called “the concerning degradation” of public transport across the MD.

Up until July, a private company operated a local bus service in Glen.

Cllr Meehan stressed that he wasn’t criticising the private operator.

“They engaged with both the NTA and Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim in order to increase the amount of services from Downings to Letterkenny via Milford and obviously in the other direction,” said Cllr Meehan.

“And they were given assurances by the NTA and Local Link that some form of link transport bus system would be put in place around the time of the changes in July past in order to link Glen back into that improved service from Downings to Letterkenny.

“We’re now in October and that has still not happened and that has left the people of Glen with public transport. I don’t think it’s good enough.”

The motion was seconded by 100% Redress councillor Tomás Seán Devine.

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry McMonagle expressed his dissatisfaction with the NTA.

He claimed that he hasn’t received a response from the NTA after contacting them three months ago requesting an “urgent meeting” to discuss the public town bus service for Letterkenny.

Following the passing of the motion, the council agreed to write to the NTA regarding the loss of public transport connectivity in Glen

The official response added: “The correspondence will also highlight wider concerns regarding the deterioration of public transport services across the Municipal District and will request a meeting with the NTA and Members of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District to discuss these issues and potential measures to improve transport provision for affected communities.”

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