Editorial: Latest bus cuts are yet another blow to Kilkenny's rural areas

The looming loss of further bus services in Kilkenny is a damaging blow to Rural Ireland, and another reality check for the lofty ideal that people should be increasingly availing of public transport.

While there is no doubt that we should all aspire to this ambition, it really is just fantasy stuff at times, given the abject state of public transport infrastructure in this country. An anaemic railway system, and now, even fewer bus routes, leaves anyone travelling in Ireland with little choice. As well as those commuting for work, what about students travelling to college, or older people attending medical appointments?

The latest victim — the Expressway Waterford-Dublin service —is a vital connection that people rely on every day. It serves many areas, like Mullinavat, Ballyhale, Thomastown, Gowran, and Paulstown.

These latest cuts come at the worst possible time — in the face of surging costs, when the Government is urging us to reduce fuel use. It is notable that some of those voicing the loudest concerns over the bus cuts are government TDs John McGuinness and Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, as well as Cllr Deirdre Cullen.
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As local representatives, they need to have a word with their party pal Darragh O’Brien, the transport minister, to sort it out. They may also need to chat to their party leader, Taoiseach Michael Martin, about going further with some of the energy/fuel supports.

With all this going on, is it any wonder we are seeing a massive increase in the use of e-scooters?

They won’t get you up the motorway or to the airport, but they are increasingly a viable, short distance way to get around the gaps in public transport, and without being stung by petrol and diesel hikes. Gardaí now say they are dealing with a rising incidence of unlawful use of these vehicles.

While their use must be in compliance with laws and road safety, there is no doubt that this type of ‘micromobility’ is going to be even more prominent in future.