Donegal patient bus service ends today

Added: 27-07-2012

 

A bus service carrying patients from Donegal to hospitals in Dublin will cease today.

The service was operated for many years on behalf of the HSE by Marley Coach Hire Ltd and facilitated Donegal patients who attended Dublin Hospitals.

 Earlier this month the HSE said there has been an increase in the number of public service buses on the Donegal to Dublin route, with shorter journey times and this has resulted in fewer patients using the HSE-funded bus service. 

The review that was undertaken in recent months has shown that, on average, five people are using the service every day.   

The HSE says the cost of this daily bus service is heading towards 100,000 euro per year and based on the numbers of people using the service and the cost effectiveness, the HSE has made the decision to discontinue funding the service from today.

Brendan McLoughlin-who is one of the service users for nearly 30 years says the removal of the service is a disgrace.