Return of bus services sought

A meeting of the Rooskey and Dromod Action group for the return of Bus Éireann services took place on Monday April 22. The meeting, which was held in Rooskey Community Centre, was attended by Mr Rory Leahy, Northwest Regional Manager of Bus Éireann; MEP Marian Harkin; Oireachtas members; members of Rooskey and Dromod Action group and Mayor of Roscommon, Cllr Tom Crosby.

Cllr Crosby informed those at the meeting that he had resolutions passed and submissions made by both the West Regional Authority and Roscommon County Development Board calling on the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar; Chief Executive of Bus Éireann, Mr Martin Nolan; and Mr Rory Leahy to restore the 6 daily return services through the villages. Cllr Crosby also stated that the loss of the services resulted in less than five minutes saved on Bus Éireann’s journeys to and from Dublin, but cost them a loss of revenue from commuters in the area.

Cllr Crosby pointed out the serious and significant adverse impact that the loss of bus services had had on the tourist villages and those reliant on the bus. He praised the excellent work of the action committee, and assured those present that he would continue to do everything in his power to bring all necessary pressure on the Government and the Bus Éireann representatives to restore these vital public services to the communities who are working so hard to recover from the huge job losses that the area has suffered in the past.