15 March 2017
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork North West TD, Aindrias Moynihan
Cork North West TD, Aindrias Moynihan (Fianna Fail) has said that he is deeply concerned about the future of the route 40 bus route which runs from Cork City to Tralee, via Macroom and Ballyvourney.
“Earlier this year, I received a response from the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross that there were currently no plans to change, or amend, this important route.
“At the time, I welcomed the committed but questioned how long this promise would be kept in light of the dire financial situation of Bus Éireann.
”Minister Ross in his reply “our services are kept under regular review and are subject to change in response to the competitive environment, changing customer needs and changes to the existing road network.
“This clause is of major concern to me, and as time goes by, I think we will see it coming into use more and more.
“My raising the future of the Route 40 bus with the Minister, and in the Dáil, did, I believe, make Bus Éireann look for cuts elsewhere. However, this can only last for so long.
The transport service is operated by Bus Eireann
“Route 40 is an Expressway service, and as such does not receive any state funding.
“The Route 40 service is vitally important for many people living in mid Cork – it is the only bus that serves the village of Ballyvourney and is used heavily by students travelling to Cork City or Tralee for 3rd level, people attending CUH for hospital appointments, and older people who want to visit their friends and families.
“I am putting Minister Ross on notice that any attempt to reduce the Route 40 bus service will be opposed heavily by me, and the Fianna Fáil party,” concluded Moynihan.