Country people need new transport deal

THE free travel pass is the first benefit many people receive from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and, in many cases, it goes on the mantelpiece to gather dust.

This is especially so in rural areas where there is no public transport.

Every effort should be made to help country people so that they can get to nursing homes, doctors, religious services or whatever.

Reduced mobility denies country dwellers access to basic services, education, jobs and social interaction.

The needs of the rural population can no longer be filled by traditional transport.

The Government must establish a public rural transport network which will operate to the benefit of those people, and that may necessitate reform of the 1932 Transport Act.

Cllr Noel Collins,

St Jude’s,

Midleton,

Co Cork.