Families across the Shannonside region have no choice but to keep their cars despite soaring running costs.
That's according to Social Justice Ireland Analyst Susanne Rogers who says public transport options must be improved for rural dwellers.
A new report by the group highlights those living in the country are forced to use their cars to travel to work and school which in turn increases costs.
Speaking to Let's Talk Susanne says disproportionate infrastructure must be balanced across the country.
'Once you move out into the more thinly populated areas , it's private cars that are accounting for over 60% of all journeys.
And then 84% of all journeys in even less populated areas are taking place in a private car.
There's a couple of things there I suppose, so it's impacting on your pocket, because the price of dilesel and petrol have gone up , and it's also not linked with our climate goals.
So there's two sort of side by side conversations that are going on here.'
