A decision on the future of Clare Accessible Transport is expected today.
The government is set to announce major changes to the Rural Transport Programme and there are fears Clare’s service could be scrapped and amalgamated with other counties.
Concerns for the Clare’s service were first raised earlier this year after a leaked document claimed the government was set to abolish 35 community based companies nationwide and replace them with a number of regional authorities.
Clare Accessible Transport currently operate 9 buses with 50 thousand passenger trips made last year and the operators fear a regional based service will have devastating consequences for the most vulnerable in the county.
At 9.30 this morning the Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly will announce reforms of the nationwide system and its understood that 18 transport units are being created – mostly operating along county council boundaries.
Speaking on Clare FM at the end of April the Junior Minister categorically rejected claims Clare’s rural transport program would be scrapped but said changes were necessary to improve levels of service on a national basis.
