Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion. Bus Éireann provides essential services throughout the country and it is important that its future be secured. Proposals to cut the Bus Éireann Expressway service would have a huge impact on the people of Ireland, in particular those living in rural Ireland. Bus Éireann plays an important role by providing rural communities with regular access to towns and cities. It is very much part of rural Ireland and provides connectivity. The loss of vital transport links to Dublin would leave many rural communities even more isolated. Any attempt to leave communities without any transport link to the capital must be resisted. Economic development and growth in rural regions are largely dependent on being connected through good public transport links. If the Expressway service to Dublin or other cities is cut, the economic gap between rural and urban Ireland will increase.

Although the Expressway service is fully commercial, it is still run by a semi-State body which is funded by the taxpayer. It has a public responsibility to serve all communities throughout the country. It must not abandon this responsibility. No other company provides direct links to neighbouring towns and cities. If it cannot stand alone as an independent commercial service, the Government needs to look at making the routes PSO routes. Furthermore, the winding down of Expressway services could lead to the direct loss of more than 500 jobs and the indirect loss of many more, as many firms throughout the country depend on business from Bus Éireann.

Bus Éireann needs increased funding from the State to ensure an adequate subvention is provided. Bus Éireann ticket prices for regional services are unaffordable. An example is the cost of a single adult ticket from Castletownbere in west Cork to Cork city which at €24.50 is totally unaffordable. It means that people are forced to use private cars rather than the public service. A reduction in price through an increased Government subvention would undoubtedly lead to an increase in usage and, in the long term, an increase in profits. Having a properly functioning public transport system is a key issue nationally when it comes to promoting balanced regional economic development, preventing social isolation and protecting the environment. We need to protect existing routes and increase investment without delay.

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