Carey wants full Miltown service restored for summer season
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has called on Bus Éireann to restore full Ennis -Miltown Malbay service this summer. In recent days Bus Éireann has confirmed that two of the four service to and from Ennis and Miltown will be cancelled. While the company has given a commitment to restore the service for the Willie Clancy Festival in July, Deputy Carey wants it restored for the full tourist season. He said: “Bus Éireann are playing a very short sighted game with the people of west Clare. The company is a public transport provider and receive a significant state subsidy for that reason. I am always slow to agree with the withdrawal of routes where there has been minimum local consultation as appears the case in this instance. We need a good transport system in West Clare, and particularly at a time when tourism is under pressure, I do not see the point in withdrawing routes. In recent days, Bus Éireann has stated it will restore the service during the Willie Clancy Festival. I welcome that announcement, yet I want to see the four services to and from Ennis to Miltown Malbay restored for the whole summer. This is essential for tourists visiting the west Clare region and for seasonal workers to be able to get to and from work. I have written to the company and would hope to have a positive response. If routes are properly marketed and priced, then I believe there is potential for passenger numbers to rise. Simply withdrawing routes, without proper local consultation, is not the way to go.”