Buses out for disabled people

DISABLED people in the Shannon area have to pay substantial taxi fares because of a problem in using public transport.

The issue was highlighted at a meeting of Shannon Town Council this week, when it was explained that disabled people are having difficulty accessing buses.
Councillor Tony McMahon introduced a motion asking the town council to engage with both Bus Éireann and Clare County Council to “ensure wheelchair/disabled access to buses serving the Shannon area”.
He said it was “an indictment on society and services if someone with a disability can’t access a bus”.
In a written reply to Councillor McMahon, area engineer, Eugene O’Shea said, “If works are required for disabled access, funding would have to be identified for these works. A meeting would also be required with all relevant parties.”
Commenting on this, Councillor McMahon said, “I would have assumed that something as essential would have been talked about already and it’s a shame that we have to discuss it at this time in our history.”
He felt the cost to the council would be minimal, involving “a few shovels of concrete here and there” and that there is a moral obligation involved.
Councillor McMahon said he had tried to make contact with Bus Éireann on the issue, but added, “You would want a day or two to press all the buttons to get the right person”.
Sinn Féin representative, Cathy McCafferty said a meeting should be sought with Bus Éireann, adding people are being forced to pay €40 in taxi fares to go to the hospital in Limerick. She described the situation as “totally unacceptable”.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy said not having proper access to public transport is a form of discrimination.
Commenting on Wednesday, Angela Meere of the Disabled People of Clare (DPOC) said the problems referred to by Councillor McMahon are real. “We’re very aware of it because our own transport services are very busy,” she said.
Ms Meere said Bus Éireann stated their low-floor buses are more suitable for the bigger urban areas than provincial areas.