This article appeared on the front page of The Dundalk Democrat.

By Gene Yore 19/8/2009


POLITICIANS of all persuasions are up in arms over recommendations to scrap the new rural bus scheme.
An Bord Snip Nua (The McCarthy Report) has told the Government to axe the Rural Transport Programme which has been operating in Louth for the past 12 months serving 4,000 people – ninety per cent of them pensioners.
“I know one elderly woman in mid-Louth,” said Ardee Town Councillor and county councillor Finnan McCoy, “who hasn't really been able to get out and about for the last eight to nine years, and thinks these new bus routes are just brilliant.
“These people want to use the new system to go out and spend some money in shops and it makes no sense to take this new life-line away from them.
“They closed down many of the rural post offices and if they do this it will be a crazy move and a sad blow for many people.”


Cllr Pearse McGeough has also condemned the proposal to shut down the service.
“This service has improved the quality of life for people in mid-Louth rural areas,” Cllr Pearse McGeough said.
“It would be a scandal and disgrace if it were scrapped. For senior citizens living in isolated places, and who don't have any means of transport, it is there only way of getting to shops or a post office. I've had loads of people inquiring about the system.”


Cllr Liam Reilly said he is deeply concerned about any proposal to axe the scheme as it has become a vital social and transport link for so many people in mid-Louth.
Fianna Fail party chairman Seamus Kirk said he will not support any moves to axe the rural bus routes which were set up in mid-Louth over the past year.
“This is a vital service for elderly people,” Deputy Kirk said. “I was involved in helping to establish it and I will not be advocating that it be removed.
“The proposals in the McCarthy Report are merely proposals for the Minister for Finance to consider.
“This is one I would not like to see implemented. This is a vital service especially for elderly people who don't drive.”


Minister Dermot Ahern's constituency office has been inundated with calls from people worried that the service will be scrapped.
The Minister officially launched the service and said it would prevent rural areas from dying on their feet.
The Louthlinx rural bus service, run by Louth Leader Partnership, has been running since last August and now has 14 routes.
In mid-Louth the service covers: Collon, Smarmore, Funshog, Stickillen, Richardstown, Dromin, Reaghstown, Aclint, Tallanstown, Coole, Togher, Annagassan, Castlebellingham, Dromiskin, Whiterath, Rathban, Duffy’s Cross, Readypenny, Allardstown, Stephenstown, Knockbridge, Darver, Grange, Ardpatrick, and Louth Village.