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Bus Éireann Buses in Galway[/caption]Bus Éireann Buses in GalwayThe Green Party today called on Transport Minister Shane Ross and his Government colleagues to think 'outside the box' and protect core services in any changes at Bus Éireann. The Party's transport spokesperson Cllr. Ciarán Cuffe said: “Shane Ross must work with his cabinet colleagues to think outside the box on transport issues. As the HSE spends millions each year on taxis to get patients to hospital appointments, and as rural school transport and postal delivery routes face mounting pressure he should combine services as they have done in other countries. In Switzerland, for example rural postal delivery are carried out using a 'postbus' that delivers people and the mail. Ross should met with his colleagues in Ministers for Education, Health and Communications to combine services and realise savings. The National Transport Authority can assist with planning for this type of joined-up thinking. “Any changes at Bus Éireann must ensure that links to smaller towns and communities are not eliminated in order to make savings. They must also listen to bus users who are seeking to commute from these communities to employment in larger towns and cities. In opposition Minister Ross was quick to call on Government to think differently. Currently he seems unable to provide the solutions that he espoused while in opposition. He must ensure that commuters are protected and ensure that all private operators honour the Free Travel Scheme so that vulnerable people are not penalised by privatisation. “Public transport can assist in tackling climate change. Cutting well-used public transport routes would be a flawed approach at a time when we are under pressure to reduce emissions.”ENDSPage last updated 14th January 2017