PASSENGERS DEFIANT AT RURAL BUS MEETING

PASSENGERS DEFIANT AT RURAL BUS MEETING

Over 60 pensioners from the rural outskirts of Clonakilty packed into O’ Donovan’s Hotel last Friday lunchtime where a meeting had been called in relation to the recent announcement that there could a threat to the future of the West Cork Rural Transport scheme. The recent publication of the McCarthy (“An Bórd Snip”) report saw among the many unpopular recommendations the scrapping of the rural transport scheme throughout the state. In Clonakilty, Rural Mini Buses ferry around 60 people from Ardfield, Reenascreena, Ballinascarthy and Ring directions each Friday to Clonakilty town where they do their shopping and other business. It’s popularity is unquestioned, and when the news broke a few weeks ago that the service may be under threat, it provoked widespread shock, worry and anger in the community.

Last Friday’s meeting was organised by local Town Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin as a result of numerous representations made to him by concerned passengers over the last two weeks. In welcoming everyone he pointed out that no one in the room was a constituent of his, as they all live outside the urban boundary. He also stated for the record that he would not be contesting any elections in the future, so he had not organised the meeting for any political advantage, but in order to give a platform to people affected by the proposal to axe the Rural Bus service. He pointed out that the only people with the power to save the scheme were the politicians at National Level who may be asked to vote on the “Bórd Snip” report at some stage in the future. That is where the pressure needs to be exerted in the coming week and months he stressed. To that end, he had a motion passed unanimously at the previous Tuesday nights Town Council meeting, and had contacted the three T.D.’s and three Senators for West Cork inviting them to Friday’s meeting. Senator Michael McCarthy was the only one to turn up, but there were apologies from P.J. Sheehan, T.D., Christy O’ Sullivan, T.D., Jim O’ Keeffe, T.D. and Senator Denis O’ Donovan, all of whom had pledged their support for the continuation of the scheme.

At the outset of the meeting, many people spoke of the great service that the Rural Transport Scheme is and how it would adversely affect them personally if it is withdrawn. Some were quite emotional about it, emphasising that it is a lifeline for them as they have no means of transport themselves. As well as the practicality of getting from their homes to town each week, the buses journeys are also a great social occasion as it brings neighbours and friends together once a week.

Mr. David O’ Brien, who is the Manager of the West Cork Rural Transport Scheme addressed the meeting and spoke passionately about this latest kick in the teeth for rural Ireland. He asked people to ponder on how people living in cities would react if the buses that take them to work, shopping, etc. were withdrawn. He said there were suggestions that people in rural areas were willing to pay in order to have the service continue, but he asked: “How would pensioners with free bus passes in towns and cities react if they were suddenly told that they would have to pay, or their buses would be withdrawn by Bus Éireann?” He was adamant that rural dwellers, already isolated were entitled to the rural transport service, and that it must continue into the future as it has operated to date – providing efficient service to it’s users.

Senator Michael McCarthy echoed these sentiments and pledged to support the campaign both inside and outside Leinster House. He told the attentive audience to scrutinise what their elected representatives were saying on this issue, as he suggested that they may show support in public, but vote against it in the Dáil and Seanad afterwards. He urged everyone to keep the pressure on all Oireachtas members.

With everyone aware of the problem the meeting then asked what was the next step. David O’ Brien confirmed that this Friday 11^th is a national day of action against the proposal to cut the rural transport service. He said it is being used all over the country to talk about the positive aspects of the service and what it means to the users.

The meeting agreed that as well as doing their bit on the local media on Friday, the passengers would assemble at 1.00pm with the general public and politicians outside the constituency office of the local T.D. Christy o’ Sullivan, and hand him two petitions. One was to be signed by all passengers who use the service in the Clonakilty area, listing names, addresses and the distance people travel into town on the bus. The other petition is one which families, neighbours, friends and the general public can sign. Both petitions are addressed to all six Oireachtas members for West Cork who are named on the forms and are asked to vote against the proposal should it come before the Dáil and Seanad.

Volunteer passengers from each of the four Clon-bound buses took the petition forms to photocopy and distribute amongst their friends during the week and collect them for presentation to the T.D. on Friday at 1.00pm. There was no doubt but the pensioners were defiant and adamant leaving the meeting that they are prepared to fight this proposal all the way, and politicians better watch out over the coming months.