Irish Rural Link (IRL) – the national network of rural community groups –  has welcomed today’s report on rural transport by the Oireachtas rural affairs committee but said the legislator’s report coming on the same week that Bus Éireann begin slashing routes only serves to highlight the gaps in Irish public transport policy. Bus Éireann are cutting eight services completely with 22 reduced, in changes that come into effect on Sunday 28th February 2010. Among those being axed are Portumna-Dublin; Cork-Roscrea-Athlone; Ballyvourney-Cork; Ardcath-Dublin; Tralee-Cork; Galway - Kiltullagh and Macroom to Kilcrohan.

 

According to Irish Rural Link Chief Executive Seamus Boland “The Oireachtas report contains many useful proposals but its publication on the same week as the first wave of Bus Éireann’s cuts begin to bite highlights the lack of joined up thinking in Irish public transport. Bus Éireann are reneging on the €45m public service obligation payment they receive to subsidise the cost of running services which are not commercially viable. Nobody seem to have the power to order Bus Éireann to return a portion of this subvention and direct it to community run rural transport companies whose good work and value for money is highlighted by the Oireachtas Committee. The Oireachtas committee’s recommendation to recycle carbon tax revenue into public transport is common sense and its proposals to make rural taxis more affordable and to utilise school buses during the day are all welcome.”

 Mr. Boland continued “Bus Éireann’s cuts were given the green light by the Labour Court. It’s a reflection of Ireland’s inadequate transport planning that the transport service rural people can access is decided by the Labour Court and not the local communities and the legislature. Bus Éireann must be compelled to open up the affected routes to private operators and rural transport companies as they currently are monopolising the licence on many of them and will continue to hold the licence despite abandoning the services.”

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For further information, please contact (anytime):

Seamus Boland (Chief Executive) 090 6482744 or 086 249 1153
Seán O’Leary (Policy and Communications Officer) 090 648 2744 or 083 333 9364