A shuttle bus on the bridge under construction between Waterford City Centre and the citys North Quays development has been ruled out by a feasibility study conducted by the National Transport Authority. A number of local councillors have sought for the shuttle bus idea to be revived, but the Waterford Bridge Shuttle Bus Feasibility Study outlines how such a shuttle bus would duplicate a higher standard bus connection already planned under BusConnects Waterford, and would need an annual subsidy of around 1.852.16 million.Originally, the concept was to operate a small electric shuttle bus running around 300 metres between the end of the bridge on the city centre side and the new train station on the North Quays side.It was planned to use a shared surface on the new bridge, which will still accommodate pedestrian and cycling access. The shuttle concept, however, was not progressed under the approved plan. The authority added that it would be happy to continue engaging constructively as a stakeholder if Waterford City and County Council wishes to explore an alternatively funded bus service in future or consider an innovation-focused autonomous vehicle trial when the regulatory environment allows.The feasibility study report states: The feasibility study has examined the operational, infrastructural, regulatory and financial implications of introducing a publicly funded shuttle bus service across the Sustainable Transport Bridge. There has been an understandable desire to secure a bus connection across the river. The original shuttle concept reflected aspects of the earlier SDZ Planning Scheme, and while intended to be privately funded, did offer a level of connectivity at a time when no alternative public bus link was planned.However, the context in which that idea first emerged has changed significantly. While future phases of development may deliver additional commercial floorspace, the scale and nature of development on the North Quays is very different from the earlier retail-led scheme, where a privately funded courtesy shuttle was envisaged to serve retail customers, the report said.The NTA said that the shuttle was never intended to operate as a public transport service integrated with the wider bus network, and predates the development of the BusConnects plans for the city, which will.There are now effective alternatives planned for public buses connecting the railway station and the city centre. BusConnects Waterford, a large-scale investment programme, will deliver a doubling of bus services in the city, including multiple high-frequency, fully accessible routes that will link Ferrybank to the relocated station and onwards to the South Quays and city centre, the report said.The report said that the BusConnects plans will offer journey times broadly comparable. While the BusConnects route will take a longer route, the shuttle was planned to operate at just 10km/h and have a lower capacity than a normal bus. The report said: In this context, a standalone shuttle would duplicate a higher standard bus connection already planned.The NTA said that there would be substantial ongoing costs operating a region of 1.852.16 million. This level of commitment would be difficult to justify when set against competing investment priorities, including the expansion of city bus services under BusConnects.The NTA remains committed to supporting sustainable transport in Waterford and has already invested more than 84 million in the new bridge and the wider North Quays infrastructure. Alongside the planned doubling of city bus services, the NTA is focused on delivering high-quality, high-capacity, integrated sustainable transport connections across the city, the NTA said.In a statement, a spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council said: Waterford City and County Council acknowledged the findings of the NTA report, which is extremely thorough and makes its recommendations based on a myriad of critical factors.While the report raises concerns regarding the viability of a publicly funded shuttle bus, the Council welcomes the fact that BusConnects will deliver a doubling of bus services to the city centre from the relocated transport hub to the South Quays via Rice Bridge. This will not only significantly increase passenger capacity, but it will offer journey times broadly comparable to those of a shuttle bus operating at 10km/h, the council said.The council said: The technological and regulatory conditions for autonomous transport continues to evolve and the Council welcomes the NTAs offer that it would be happy to continue engaging constructively as a stakeholder should Waterford City and County Council wish to explore an alternatively funded bus service in future or consider an innovation-focused autonomous vehicle trial.