NEW RURAL TRANSPORT BODY NOW IN PLACE

The new Cavan Monaghan Rural Transport Board has been established, Chief Executive Eugene Cummins informed the members of Monaghan Co Council at their March meeting.

In his monthly management report, Mr Cummins said the transfer from the two separate Rural Transport Programmes from Cavan and Monaghan was now complete. He noted that the Co Council’s Development Officer Bernie Bradley was a member of the new board.

His report continued: “Office accommodation for the company has been secured in Cootehill from Cavan Co Council. The recruitment process is now complete and Padraig Smyth, previously Co-ordinator with Balti Bus, has been appointed as the Co-ordinator with the new transport company.

“Preparations are now beginning for the development of the new Transport Co-ordination Unit (TCU) work plan. It is envisaged that this will link closely with the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).”

Praise for the work done by Co Monaghan’s Balti Bus initiative was forthcoming from Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus Coyle, who said it had adopted a very innovative approach that gave many people a new lease of life and an opportunity to use their bus pass. Colr Coyle added that co-ordination of rural transport services was very important at a time when Bus Éireann was cutting back on even major routes.