Warning rural transport plan may be ‘unworkable’

Private coach operators have warned the Government’s plan for a major revamp of public transport in rural areas could be unworkable.

The Coach Tourism & Transport Council (CTTC) claims promises by junior transport minister, Alan Kelly, to integrate a range of existing services which provide transport in rural areas could be undermined by a court challenge to the operation of the school bus scheme.

Mr Kelly yesterday announced details of the plan, which he claimed would provide people living in isolated parts of rural Ireland with improved public transport services.