It’s claimed having a car in rural Clare will be an absolute necessity until such time as public transport is made more accessible.
A new survey has found that the majority of Irish families find having a car absolutely necessary for the practicalities of daily life.
With public transport gradually becoming more accessible across Clare, questions have been raised as to the long-term role of the car in our lives.
A new survey carried out by Liberty Insurance has found that four in five Irish households believe a car is necessary for family transport.
Meanwhile, four fifths of families say they use their car every day with almost 30% doing so several times a day and just 2% feeling that having a car isn’t essential.
Budget 2024 saw the carbon tax on petrol and diesel rise by 8 cent, while excise duty will increase by 8 cent for both petrol and diesel in April and August, respectively.
With the cost of running a car soaring, Ennis Green Party representative Bridget Ginnity suggests adopting hitch-hiking and ride-sharing as transport practices could be a viable option.
You can listen to Bridget Ginnity’s full interview below.
TFI Local Link services are now accessible in many parts of rural Clare such as Flagmount, Scariff, Whitegate, Kilrush and Ballyvaughan.
Despite this, Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy insists Clare people won’t be able to break up with their cars until reliable public transport is extended to every town and village.
You can listen to Joe Garrihy’s full interview below.
