Additional local public transport links have been enhanced in 10 counties including Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Louth, Meath, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Clare. But nothing has been forthcoming for Co Monaghan and local councillor Brian McKenna says there is disappointment across the board over this development.
Cllr McKenna pointed out that Monaghan is as deserving of a functioning and adequate public transport service as any other county is. He said the service is so poor in Monaghan, it now flies in the face of the Government's climate policy, which aims to remove petrol and diesel cars from the roads.
Cllr McKenna added that public transport must be improved in rural Ireland, otherwise, targets within climate policy won't be achieved. "The opportunity is not there for people to use the public transport service. It's certainly not there in sufficient capacity in rural areas for people to switch from using their own cars and availing of the public service.
"The Government needs to step up to the mark because there are very few grants for people to change from diesel to electric cars. It needs to make provision for rural transport particularly in rural areas."
