There is growing anger in Carlow and Kilkenny over plans to scrap the Route 4 bus between Waterford and Dublin next month.
A packed public meeting in Mullinavat last night heard from residents, students and workers who say the service is a vital lifeline.
Fianna Fáil’s rural spokesperson Deputy Peter Chap Cleere was in attendance and he warned its loss would seriously impact access to jobs, education and services, calling the decision a setback for rural communities.
“I am delighted with the turnout and the level of engagement from people here this evening,” said Deputy Cleere. “There is no mistaking the anger and worry among residents. People are genuinely anxious about how they will get to work, college and school without this essential service.”
Local Resident Sean Maher spoke to KCLR News’ Dermot Keys and told him that the village is being left behind. “The centre of the South East is Mullinavat, and I would imagine the biggest amount of people getting onto buses, both going into Waterford as students, going up to Carlow and Kilkenny are students.”
“We’re an ageing population we need some kind of connectivity going forward and if this is lost, I think, like the post office, you’re going to see the bad effects of what huge decisions in Dublin and other centres are doing to rural Ireland, Mullavat is an example of that.“
