A rural door-to-door bus transport programme on the Cork/Kerry/Limerick border may have to be axed because of uncertainty over continued Government funding.
The "Kerry Flyer", as it is known locally, carried 1,336 passengers and made 215 return journeys in the Knocknagoshel and Sliabh Luachra area of west Limerick, north Cork and north Kerry last month.
The bus route brings passengers on return or one-day trips. It is the only public door-to- door bus service in the area and one of the few services with fully accessible wheelchair friendly vehicles.
Known affectionately as the Flyer, it has been funded primarily by FÁS under the Social Economy Programme, a three-year programme set up to nurture long-term employment in marginal areas.
Three full-time drivers are employed as well as administrators and a manager.
Nearing its three-year full term, there is no guarantee the service will continue to be funded, according to Ms Carmel Walsh, manager of Kerry Community Transport.
"Without support rural transport is not possible. Every passenger from Kerry airport is subsidised to the tune of €100," she said.
Ms Irene Cotter, a pensioner, who lives near Knocknagoshel said she would start a campaign to save the Kerry Flyer.
"This is the first time there has ever been a service accommodating us. Every Thursday it allows us to have a meal, go shopping, visit the doctor and do a lot of talking. We do a lot of talking," Ms Cotter said.
The bus picks her up at 11.10 a.m. and she is in Castleisland by 11.45. It leaves Castleisland again at 2.45. Prior to the scheme she had to pay a taxi fare of €25 out of her weekly old age pension.
A spokesman for FÁS said the social economy programme was under review.