Cutbacks to Athlone town bus services have attracted widespread local criticism, with one councillor describing the move as a “recipe for disaster”.
The changes, which will affect routes 459 between Willow Park and Golden Island and 459A from Monksland to Garrycastle via Golden Island, are to come into effect on February 28.
According to Bus Éireann, the frequency of the services, which now operate at approximately 100 departures a day, is likely to fall to 50. The changes are being introduced as part of a nationwide cost recovery plan. The ‘low frequency’ Athlone - Roscrea - Cork route, currently operating once a day, is also to be withdrawn.
Cllr Paul Hogan says the cutbacks are “a devastating blow for the community, which will inflict further hardship on people who use the service”.
“Astonishingly this is only the first round of cutbacks and it is anticipated that 100 routes will be at risk over the next couple of months...This drip feed of cutbacks is a disgrace and is designed to lessen the impact on service users,” he said.
“I believe that Bus Éireann as a semi-state body has a responsibility to serve all areas particularly routes that may have small numbers utilising the service, because the private operators will not serve areas where there is low demand.
“I refute any suggestion that the Willow Park and Monskland service are losing money and would challenge Bus Éireann to publish figures proving such a claim.”
Meanwhile Roscommon’s Cllr John Naughten says he will be raising the Bus Éireann proposal to cut town bus services, specifically those serving the Monksland area, at the next meeting of Roscommon County Council.
“This particular route is well used by local residents and I am calling on Bus Éireann to ensure that it is retained during its review of services,” he said.
Irish Rural Link were highly critical of the cutbacks, saying they showed Bus Éireann had “finally stopped pretending they see themselves as a public service”.
“Bus Éireann have concentrated on slashing services that have a real public value for rural communities while continuing their preoccupation with crushing private operators on more lucrative routes. Transport poverty is an issue in rural areas, made worse by a carbon tax and exacerbated by this announcement,” said Irish Rural Link policy and communications officer Seán O’Leary.
“Bus Éireann refuses to open up routes and give other operators a chance to deliver a bus service in rural areas and to the regions.”
