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Blood Bikes, the volunteer service that delivers blood to Ireland's hospitals and medical centres, can keep working thanks to electronic parking and tolling tag provider easytrip. Earlier this week it looked like the service would have to end because of toll charges but easytrip stepped in to cover the cost.
As well as blood the bikers deliver breast milk and other medical items across the country, 365 days a year. Blood Bikes is a registered not-for-profit Irish charity, funded by public and private donations. The service runs free of charge thanks to a large number of volunteer bikers who give their time freely.
Ciaran Doyle, Marketing and Sales Manager of easytrip Ireland said: "Blood Bikes play a crucial part in bringing blood to hospitals and medical centres across Ireland and we are delighted to be able to cover their toll charges so that they can reach those most in need. Blood Bikes provide a vital service, free of charge, ensuring other emergency services are not taken out of service. We hope that Blood Bikes will be made exempt from tolling soon and in the interim we are more than happy to cover their tolls to ensure their service continues without delay."
Fergus Lennon, spokesperson of Blood Bikes Leinster, commented: "We very much appreciate easytrip stepping in and coming to our aid. Knowing that our toll charges are covered is a huge source of comfort to us. Easytrip have stepped up to play their part in supporting communities throughout Ireland that relay on our service and we thank them. Our service is about the speed we can delivery and we were facing having to extend our journey times to avoid tolled roads, effectively putting lives at risk, but we don't have to anymore thanks to easytrip".