A chara, - The letter (November 26th) from Mr Rowley of the Department of Transport regarding the acceptability of the pensioner travel pass on routes franchised out to private bus operators is most welcome. It is right and proper that it should be thus.
There is, however, much of the country where a public transport system has never existed. Rural isolation, bordering on solitary confinement, has been the lot of generations. A visit to the local town, church, or medical facility was dependant on the kindness and availability of relative or neighbour.
Rural transport initiatives are now being put in place in an effort to liberate these people. Unfortunately, the free travel pass is not acceptable on the buses as the Government has not agreed to subvent its use.
Certainly it is not right and proper that the elderly of rural Ireland should be thus discriminated against.
It would be a most welcome and appropriate Christmas deed by the Minister to sanction the use of the travel pass on a transport system designed by the community primarily for the enrichment of the lives of the elderly. - Is mise,
Cllr MICHAEL GLEESON, Clasheen, Killarney, Co Kerry.