Axing Cork bus routes ‘may hit disadvantaged students’

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has expressed concern about how students from disadvantaged areas of Cork will be able to get to college if a crucial bus service is axed.

It emerged last week that a number of Bus Éireann services in the city are likely to be withdrawn from next month because of cuts to its budget. One of the routes almost certain to be affected is the number 1 orbital service, which links the northside suburbs of Mayfield, The Glen, Blackpool and Knocknaheeny with Cork Institute of Technology and Fás, as well as dropping students near University College Cork.

Mr O’Keeffe told the Irish Examiner he did not know the details of the plans but said he would raise it with Bus Éireann’s regional management to find out what the impact might be.

“I would always have concerns to ensure that communities which are disadvantaged would have access and it would be amenable for them to gain access to the institute of technology or UCC,” he said. “It’s important that we look at the number of students who will be affected by the withdrawal or curtailment of any service.”

A Bus Éireann spokesperson said no details of services it is seeking to cut or reduce nationally would be announced until it has concluded talks with unions representing staff, which are due to be wrapped up by June 19. It is believed around 50 routes, including inter-city, regional and suburban services, could be axed or have reduced frequencies.

But the company insists that it is only services which have lowest passenger numbers which will be affected, and efforts will be made to reduce the impact of any cuts. Bus Éireann is facing losses of up to €30 million this year because of a 10% drop in passenger numbers in the past year.

The impact on third level opportunities was also a cause of concern for Cork Institute of Technology access officer Deirdre Creedon, who said it would send a poor message to students in second level schools in those areas.

Local campaigners have said the route’s cancellation would also cause difficulty for patients from the northside of the city who need to make regular visits to Cork University Hospital, which is served by the number 1 service.