Bus Éireann defends decision to axe service

BUS ÉIREANN has defended a decision to axe a Cork to Waterford service despite claims from two TDs the company was legally obliged to maintain it.

The company confirmed route 366 – linking north Cork towns like Conna, Castlelyons, Fermoy, Ballyhooly, Castletownroche, Killavullen, Mallow and Dungourney to Dungarvan in Co Waterford – has been scrapped since Monday.

It was one of dozens of route and service changes introduced by the company across the country as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Bus Éireann’s southern regional manager Joe Fitzgerald said the route had “very low customer support” and could not be sustained in this economic environment.

He said a proposal from unions to operate a one-day-a-week service between Dungarvan to Mallow and Tallow would require an extra bus in Dungarvan which was not feasible.

And he said the firm tried to develop services in the Cork and Waterford areas, and tested new and alternative routes, without success.

“As a responsible semi- state, Bus Éireann must take action to further reduce its cost base and realign its network in line with demand, so as to ensure if is in a strong position for when there is an economic recovery,” he said.

But two Labour TDs in the affected areas criticised the decision, citing a legal document which they claim binds the bus company to maintain the service.

Cork East TD Sean Sherlock and Waterford-based TD Brian O’Shea said they are concerned the axing of the route will leave many communities isolated.

“This bus service was introduced in the late 1960s by way of replacement of the rail service running between Waterford and Mallow, that was itself scrapped around that time,” they said in a joint statement.

“It is our understanding that CIÉ at that time made a commitment to maintain the bus service in perpetuity.”

Mr Sherlock has obtained a copy of the ‘Notice as to Termination of Train Services On The Railway Line Between Mallow and Waterford’ which was issued in 1967.

“It is our belief that the commitment given in this document to provide an alternative passenger bus service on an ongoing basis, still has legal effect,” he said.

“This is something that we will be pursuing in the Dáil.”