A major conference aimed at tackling rural mobility issues across Europe and finding innovative public transport solutions at local level took place in Kilkenny on May 5th, 2022.
The iROUTE 2 (Integrated Rural Urban Transport Evolution) conference, organised by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) and Ring a Link, and chaired by economist Jim Power, brought together national and international contributors from a variety of backgrounds, including transport providers, academic experts, funders, community groups, local development companies and public representatives with an interest in improving rural connectivity.
All those in attendance had a singular aim – putting rural public transport policy in the spotlight. Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Rural Studies Centre at NUI Galway was invited to speak about the benefits and value of rural transport services and policy learning from, and creating linkages with, the EU Smart Villages concept and the LEADER community-led local development methodology at this event on behalf of the NRN. Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, provided the closing address.
More information about this event can be found here.
