In the debate that is ongoing about the future of Bus Eireann I certainly hope that we are not being braced for a run down of services in rural areas that may not be profitable.
The problems affecting Bus Eireann must be addressed, but any proposed run down of services to rural towns and villages in the name of cost cutting will be strongly resisted. It is generally accepted that any nationwide public transport system will have to recieve some subvention from public funds to support routes that may not be viable and that situation will have to remain. The people of rural Ireland deserve a proper public transport system the same as is available to people in major towns and cities. This is a matter I will be watching closely as the debate on the future of Bus Eireann continues.
