23rd February 2015

ICSA rural development chairman Billy Gray has said that proposed cuts to Bus Eireann routes represent a further attack on rural Ireland.

“These cuts will, yet again, disproportionately affect rural dwellers in many parts of Ireland, and on top of bank, post office and Garda station closures, constitute a further attack on rural Irish society,” said Mr. Gray.

“Older people who may not have any other means of transport will be particularly affected, as will rural families with children going to college. Many farming families, already under pressure due to low incomes, will be forced to sacrifice valuable working time in order to transport their children to the next town with a bus service.”

“It’s inconceivable that towns like Bunclody, Castlecomer and Ballyporeen will have no direct service to Dublin, while in the west, Roscommon and Castlerea, among others, will be cut off from Westport. ICSA is calling on Bus Éireann to immediately reverse the decision to cut these services and to open negotiations with the Government on ensuring the viability of such routes.”