Giving Rural Ireland a Lift

Posted on December 01, 2009 at 05:16 PM

Tommy Broughan TD

This morning Labour Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan TD along with colleagues Sean Sherlock TD and Senator Phil Prendegast published Labour's proposals for protecting rural public bus services, Giving Rural Ireland A Lift.

Rural public transport services have come under savage attack from the Fianna Fail/Green government. Proposals are being reviewed at the moment to slash Bus Eireann services and fleets around the country.

Now the government is also considering ending funding in Budget 2010 for the Rural Transport Programme which supports 36 local, community-based rural bus companies in every county of Ireland. The Rural Transport Programme provides lifeline bus services especially for elderly people in isolated areas as it allows them to get to the doctor, post office or to visit the local town when otherwise they would simply have no other way of getting there and out of their homes.

These bus services make an extraordinary difference to people's lives. We believe they must be protected and have outlined how they can be here.

Do let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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