Government has failed those dependent on public transport in the North West says Lisa Mulligan

“The government has consistently failed those dependent on public transport in the North West region,” according to Sinn Féin candidate in the Carrick-on-Shannon LEA, Lisa Mulligan.

“In Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon there is a very strong case to be made for an increased availability of public transport to facilitate demand for transport to Sligo Town and Boyle in the early mornings.

“I am calling on both Irish Rail and Bus Éireann to take a serious look at the sizable market of commuters both in the workforce and education, which presently have no early morning services covering the Carrick-on-Shannon, Boyle to Sligo route.

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“These are sizeable towns with large work forces, a regional hospital and a large 3rd level campus that presently has no early morning commuter type service.

“A good public transport service on this route may alleviate other regional pressures. A commuter bus or rail service early enough, would potentially give students a very realistic commute from south Leitrim and Boyle that would have a knock on impact in reducing accommodation pressures in and around Sligo town.

“It would reduce congestion and traffic flow in the morning in the towns on the route, and it would facilitate better traffic management.

“There is a very real opportunity to set up a very strong economically viable public transport route covering this area. This opportunity needs to be grasped, and sooner rather than later.

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“If the research, costings and route assessment took place during the early summer there could potentially be a viable service up and running by the new academic year.

“All that is required is that those in these public transport companies and the ministers with the tight purse strings have the vision to see what our area and region really need.

“With a bit of vision, ambition and risk we can grow, enhance and make our region competitive with the rest of the country,” Lisa concluded.