Sinn Féin deputies Dessie Ellis and Michael Colreavy today met with representatives of the National Transport Authority at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on the issue of restructuring plans for the Rural Transport Programme.
Speaking following the meeting Deputy Ellis said:
“Funding needs to be ensured for rural transport for the services to be properly utilised by the community. If there are savings to be made it must be at an administrative level and there must not be a cut to the direct provision of services.
“Those who currently run the rural transport services deserve praise fSor the work that they do and the dedication of local people has been an essential factor for these services over the years.
“I also welcome that there will be proper regulation of the rural hackney scheme, where there will be no displacement of other operators and community agreement will be sought.”
Commenting after the meeting Deputy Colreavy said:
“Rural transport is a major issue for many communities, especially those in the north-west region.
“Isolation in rural areas can be a major problem and often the rural transport services are the only means some people have of getting from one place to another.
“It is essential that the National Transport Authority ensures that services are maintained in rural areas and that communities do not suffer from cutbacks.”