The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, today officially unveiled transport services for people living in remote rural areas of Counties Leitrim, Cavan and Sligo who do not have regular access to a car.
|
|
Brennan: provision of local transport can improve the quality of life
|
The two services - Rural Lift Ltd Leitrim/Cavan and West Sligo Rural Transport Working Group - are part of the €6 million Department of Transport-funded Rural Transport Initiative, launched in July 2001 and operating in 25 counties.
In the main, the services are one-day-a-week services using mini-buses. Many of the services are door-to-door and are designed to fit in with existing scheduled services.
Some 270 new transport services are being provided and more than 2,000 people use the services every week.
Minister Brennan said: "Research has shown that those who are most marginalised by lack of access to transport in rural areas are women, the elderly, the mobility impaired, people on low income and young people. Research also shows that the provision of accessible, affordable and acceptable local transport can make a very important improvement in the quality of life for these people.
"This particular initiative is helping to address that issue. These services in Leitrim, Cavan and Sligo are an excellent example of how some who may have felt left behind or marginalised can get out and enjoy shopping and social and community life," he said.