Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a statement on the Bus Éireann website about the company's proud tradition of public service dating back to the foundation of the State. For 90 years, the national bus network has been an essential and integral part of Ireland's transport infrastructure. Public transport is a public service and, despite the Government’s obsession with the market, it does not have to be making a profit to be successful. A successful public transport service is one which provides an adequate transport service to citizens and if that involves subsidy, so be it. There is no denying that Bus Éireann is in trouble but it is no wonder when it seems to be run in such a way as to ensure it will not break even never mind make a profit. The reality is that people in rural Ireland have no bus services. I was recently contacted by a person who was called to attend a JobPath meeting. The person lives in rural Ireland and when they said that they did not have a car to get to the meeting, they were told to take the bus. This person would have to walk nine miles to get a bus, which only runs twice a week, to get to Carrick-on-Shannon. There is no public bus service in many areas in rural Ireland. The Expressway service has been taken away from many students who travel from rural areas to different universities. This is now in line to be slashed. There is all this talk about investing in rural Ireland and in people. However, people's lived experience is that it is being pulled away from them time and again. This effort by the Government to cut the Expressway service is another example of this.

The Minister needs to get on board the bus. He needs to take up the challenge and do a really good job of ensuring that Bus Éireann delivers what is outlined on its website. That is the Minister's responsibility and he needs to take it seriously and recognise that the ordinary people of Ireland need to have a proper service and that it is his job to ensure they get it.

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