The most vulnerable people in society are swept aside in the run-up to an election, it was claimed today.
Launching a joint Rural Transport Charter, the Irish Rural Link (IRL) - the national group campaigning for sustainable rural communities - and Age Action outlined proposals they said would significantly improve access to public transport in rural areas.
"Rural transport is needed to attend medical appointments, collect pensions from the post office and get essential groceries," said Age Action's Robin Webster.
"Changed economic and social circumstances in rural Ireland have meant that many older people are faced with declining local public and private services and weakened community and family supports.
"The consequence of these changes is that older people in rural areas who find themselves without access to a car can become very cut off from social contact and be left feeling very isolated and vulnerable."
Measures proposed in the charter include initiating a minibus or hackney services voucher scheme for Free Travel Pass holders in rural areas, establishing financial incentives such as grants, VAT and VRT reductions for the setting up of travel services in remote areas.
It also proposes establishing a unit within the Department of Transport to co-ordinate and integrate transport in rural areas with the inter-regional transport being rolled out under Transport 21.
"Sometimes in the run-up to elections the interests of the most vulnerable in society get swept aside," continued Mr Webster.
"The social consequences of failing to significantly improve public transport in rural areas during the lifetime of the next government will be grave.
Both Age Action and IRL have demanded all the political parties commit to greater provision of public transport in rural areas in their 2007 Election Manifestos.
"A message that has been consistently voiced to both Irish Rural Link and Age Action from those working with older people in rural areas is that the unavailability of public transport is significantly contributing to social isolation," added Seamus Boland, IRL chief executive.