Feb 28, 2017:

Active Retirement Ireland call on Bus Eireann and Minister to End Industrial Action 'For the Good of Rural Communities'

The country’s largest older people’s charity, Active Retirement Ireland (ARI), has today (28^th February) called on Minister Shane Ross and Bus Éireann to act in the interest of older people in rural communities and bring next week’s proposed strike action to a halt. The NBRU and Siptu have announced they’ll start an all-out strike at the bus company from Monday 6^th March, after management announced they would press ahead with cost-cutting measures from that day.

ARI Head of Communications and Public Affairs Peter Kavanagh said, “Bus Éireann provides vital links to services for people in rural areas, and has a public service obligation to maintain these. Older people will, yet again, be the ones to suffer as a provider of first resort seeks to maximise profit without a thought for the health or wellbeing of their customers.”

“Talk of insolvency and viability ignores the important role that Bus Éireann plays in keeping rural communities alive, and in keeping older people connected and able to age well at home,” said Kavanagh, “The derogation of rural routes, either by cutting back on driver numbers or bus services, would have a devastating effect on older people. Minister Ross has to act decisively and show leadership to end this row and reach a suitable compromise that will see rural transport maintained for the good of communities.”

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