Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It can be phrased both ways as a burden and an opportunity, which it certainly is. There is an administrative burden and many people are being asked to do a lot of extra work. It needs support and resourcing. They are the correct vehicle - forgive the pun - for delivering this. Uptake has been excellent. The Lismore-Cappoquin-Dungarvan route provides an hourly service, which is well used. Many people are on that service every day and have a personal relationship with the bus driver. It is tackling rural transport issues but also social isolation issues. It is about putting in the investment. The bus stop issue is totemic and great headway could be made on it in short order. It comes up again and again when talking to Local Link operators. A bit of concrete and a pole are needed, at the very least, to let people know a rural transport service passes through their villages and towns. It could be rolled out in short order and it would be a boost to the service and its visibility.

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