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"Double speak by Government on rural bus service," says McGrath
Deputy Paul McGrath expressed his disappointment that the Athlone - Ballymore - Mullingar bus service has been withdrawn.
"This bus service has been in operation since 1932," says Deputy McGrath, "and provided a vital transport link in rural Westmeath."
"Having been brought up in Ballymore in the 1950s and 1960s I am well aware of the importance of this bus service - known as the Frank Watter's Bus - to the residents of Drumraney, Ballymore, Killare, Loughnavalley and Ballinea. I travelled on this service on countless occasions, to and from St. Finian's College, Mullingar at the beginning and end of term, as well as shopping visits to Athlone and Mullingar," says McGrath.
"Indeed, this service was very often the 'first leg' for residents from these areas commencing their sad journeys abroad in search of employment or to the mission fields of Africa or South America.
"For many this bus service provided the vital transport to and from work on a daily basis and indeed in more recent times was used by students travelling to Athlone Institute of Technology.
"More recently this service was the life line to many Free Travel Pass holders and others who made regular trips to collect pensions, for hospital, dentist, optician, chiropodist visits, for shopping, or for other every day activities," says Deputy McGrath.
"I contacted the Bus Company and they told me that they had been in receipt of £480 per week by way of payment for the Free Travel service provision.
"This sum has now been reduced to £125 per week, thus making the service unviable.
"Free Travel Pass holders in this area will now have no facility to use their Travel Pass. They are to be left isolated, totally dependent on the good will of neighbours to take them shopping.
"It is ironic that in the week when Minister Mary O'Rourke T.D., grabbed the headlines on the media with her announcement of £3.5 million for Rural Transport, that her colleague, Minister Dermot Ahern T.D. should reduce payments made for Free Travel in rural areas," says McGrath.
"This is a decided case of double speak by this Government and is typical of their lack of understanding of the needs of ordinary people," says McGrath.
"I call on Mary O'Rourke to take an interest in the needs of rural areas and have this bus service restored," concluded Deputy Paul McGrath.
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