Public Transport to and from Croom Co Limerick

 

Croom is situated on the N20 ten minutes from Raheen, fifteen from Limerick City Centre and on the main artery between the west of Ireland and Cork and with easy access to the N7 Dublin route.

With investment in the Orthopaedic Hospital, Colaiste Chiarain and growing businesses such as Croom Medical and Croom Concrete the town is busy. The census of 2022 demonstrated a population growth in Croom of 17%, well above the national average.  Currently there are houses being built by Croom Voluntary Housing and also a private development currently offering phase two of Camoge Park, so the population is set to continue to grow.

Patricia Ryan of Croom Community Development Association (CCDA) noted that “despite the growth in population, and increased services at Croom Hospital, Croom has little in the way of public transport services to and from the town”  At the launch of the survey of Public Transport to and from Croom,  David Hurley explained that the Board of CCDA tasked Patricia Ryan and her team to carry out the survey to understand the needs of the community and also of those working or attending the hospital”

Patricia Ryan outlined the current services, “the suburban route bus 320 Limerick to Charleville operates five /four services Monday to Friday.  Saturday and Sunday this service is very much reduced in number and also geographically servicing Limerick to Croom only.  There is no service after 5.45 any evening leaving Limerick.  This service is augmented by TFI Local Link service on the following routes

• Tarbert to Croom Hospital operating 3 services over 7 days
• Croom to the Crescent Shopping Centre – Thursday 1 return route
• Croom to Charleville – Saturday 1 return route
• Croom to Adare – one day, request service, return service”

The survey was carried out in June and early July, it was available online and through social media, passengers were surveyed at the bus stop and the survey was conducted at the local bingo hall there were 146 respondents. 

 

Results

In conclusion the responses outlined the two issues to be overcome

1. The 320 service from Bus Eireann needs to be augmented, to allow a more frequent service between Limerick and Croom and to include service both earlier and later in the day. Perhaps to incorporate a service from Expressway route 51 to allow a service later in the day and facilitate direct access to Galway and Cork

It was outlined that young people would find it difficult to attend college in Limerick and return home on the bus.  Socialising in the city is also hampered whether that is for an older or younger person.

Taking a job in Raheen, the Crescent Shopping Centre, or the city would mean that the employee from Croom would have to finish work before 5:30pm to get a bus home, this certainly seems unrealistic for anyone working in the Crescent Shopping Centre whos opening hours are 6pm – 9pm.

A person living in Croom is disadvantaged in terms of work, study or socialising by not having public transport.  New HSE employees, coming from overseas are often more reliant on public transport and yet there is no service to allow an employee to start a shift at 8am at the hospital.

Attending a hospital appointment or visiting a patient at University Hospital Limerick is limited by the bus service.

 

2. Access to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital

For patients attending Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, or visitors, the infrequent service means that people are “abandoned” at the hospital.  David Hurley noted that there are two issues to be resolved “the first that the 320 needs a bus stop nearer to the hospital, the distance currently is just under a kilometre, a considerable walk if you are an older person.  Secondly, there needs to be a greater number of services so that the bus is an effective way to get to and from Croom Hospital.  For an appointment at 10 o’clock breast check appointment could mean leaving Limerick at 7:45 and returning  at 13.48 for a thirty minute appointment, that is six hours!”

Patricia Ryan of Croom Community Development noted that “all aspects of life are affected by this lack of public transport. Young people need a car to attend university, having a job in Raheen only 10 minutes away requires a car.  The mom taking her sick child to attend a hospital appointment is forced to spend more money by using taxis to supplement the infrequent service.  Improving the frequency of service to Croom would take many car journeys off the N20.  Augmented service would see employees back at their workplace increasing productivity rather than having to take a day off.

Improving access after 5pm to and from the city will allow students to remain in Croom, reducing the cost and requirement for housing in the City.”

 

David Hurley explained “there are three solutions while Croom awaits the M20 upgrade and the introduction of a transport hub in Croom.  The first is that there is a requirement for a new bus stop to service the hospital on the 320 route. Secondly there is a need for more frequent service to and from the city to support those working or studying around Limerick and Croom Hospital and finally the introduction of later services to and from the city and this could be the 320 or the Galway to Cork Expressway Route 51 that passes 500 metres from Croom.”

Croom Community Development Association is asking for improved services from the bus companies, Bus Eireann and Expressway to service the growing population of Croom and their needs. Limerick City and County Council are being asked to provide a bus stop to service Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, to facilitate passengers attending the hospital and an augmented route 320 incorporating Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. 

           

   

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Observer 
 

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