INDEPENDENT councillor Ursula Gavan wants to see an urgent targeted package of measures to cut costs and improve transport services for workers and families across Limerick city and county.
Speaking at the recent Metropolitan District meeting, Cllr Gavan warned that people are already at breaking point.
“Fuel prices are rocketing, gas prices are set to rise again, and households simply cannot absorb any more costs. Yet the Government continues to act as if this is there is nothing more that can be done,” she blasted.
“We know gas and oil prices will remain high for the foreseeable future. This is not a surprise – and yet there is no credible plan in place even as people are already protesting and services are already failing.”
Cllr Gavan took the view that despite Ireland having record levels of Exchequer funding, this has not translated into real, everyday improvements for communities outside Dublin. She called on the Government to immediately move to cut fares for all bus users.
“BusConnects was meant to transform public transport, but instead people are still waiting on infrequent, unreliable services – or no service at all.
“Transport is now a frontline cos-o-living issue. If the Government does not urgently deliver affordable, reliable public transport, rising fuel prices will keep driving public anger and deepening hardship,” she said.
Cllr Gavan also urged Government and the National Transport Authority to publish a clear 12–18 month delivery plan for Limerick and the Mid West, improve BusConnects frequency and reliability, and immediately address local and regional service gaps such as Castleconnell.
“There also needs to be additional daytime rail services on the Castleconnell/Annacotty line to enable more commuters switch from car to rail. Record funding without delivery is failing people. Communities cannot live on announcements. They need buses on the road, services they can rely on, and real protection from rising costs – now,” she concluded.