This article is from page 8 of the 2011-04-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
A COMMUNITY transport initiative which makes it possible for 3,600 passengers to get about every month is under threat because of rocketing fuel prices.
The Clare Acessible Transport (CAT) initiative may have to apply the brakes and cut routes if something is not done to help them with the cost of keeping the fleet of buses on the road.
“The cost of fuel went up by 20 per cent on the last quarter of 2010 alone. The increase on this time last year is now 30 per cent which is a significant cost for an organisation like ours, as it will be for all sectors of public transport. The positive thing is that the demand for the service is so great that we should be growing. But we can’t do that unless we can fund the service,” said Laura Ward, Manager of CAT.
The not-for-profit public transport service now has nearly 4,000 registered members and makes an average of 3,600 single passenger journies each month.
The service is for anyone who wants to join, but the eight easy-access buses are particularly helpful for those with mobility difficulties because of age or an existing condition.
It is also a vital link for people living in isolated areas which might never merit a commercial bus service and scores of CAT members who might otherwise have to be cared for in hospitals or nursing homes can live independently using the routes to get to doctors and other appointments. The service provides transport all over the county.
As an ‘on-demand’ service it ams to cater for the routes which its members want and can pick up and set down in areas where no other public transport is likely to go.
Putting up the cost of membership and journeys could put the cost of travel out of the reach of some members, as many have signed up to CAT because they cannot afford their own transport. But the company’s pleas for help with fuel costs which are outside their control have so far gone unanswered.
“We have been lobbying on the issue but so far, there has been no response. Staff here have done everything they can and have been extremely dedicated and flexible to try to keep the service going but if this continues we will have no choice but to cut routes,” Laura said.
CAT staff are also already struggling with the fact that they still do not know what their funding levels will be for the coming year and they have no help with the capital cost of adding to, or maintaining, a fleet which is coping with some of the worst roads in the county.
“We urgently need support for capital funding as well. We have got to the point where the organisation is very strong, the demand from the community is there – there are waiting lists in Shannon. We should be growing,” said Laura.