A public consultation document on the development of rural transport services was launched in Co Donegal yesterday by Minister of State for Transport Pat "The Cope" Gallagher.
"Behind each of these trips is a story; a real difference that these services are making in tackling social exclusion in rural areas," he said. "Indeed, such has been the success of the Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) it is being put on permanent footing from next year."
In parallel with the launch of Transport 21, the Minister announced the level of funding available to the RTI in 2007 would be increased to double that of 2005.
He said that before final decisions were taken on the way forward with the initiative he was anxious to take account of the views and suggestions of parties who are involved in the provision of rural transport.
"I am now making the discussion paper publicly available, and would encourage interested parties to give it due consideration," said the Minister.
Since 2002 a pilot RTI has been in operation for which the Government provides funding to community organisations and community partnerships to address the rural transport needs of their communities.
The Mayor of Donegal, Enda Bonner, said: "One such rural transport scheme run by Sób Teo from the industrial estate in Gaoth Dobhair has alleviated the problem of social exclusion in the Gaeltacht."
He said some 43,000 people availed of the service last year, 12,000 of whom used their free travel pass.
In the south-west of the county 13,000 people availed of the service provided by Seirbhás Iompar Teo and 11,000 of these people used their free passes.
Written responses on rural transport can be sent to the Department of Transport up to Friday, September 22nd.