Transport Minister Eamon Ryan joined the National Transport Authority to celebrate the achievement of over 100,000 weekly passengers now using TFI Local Link services across the country. Pictured (L-R): John Nott, Head of Public Transport Services Planning, Barry Doyle, Assistant Manager Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow, Margaret Malone, head of corporate services, NTA, Minister for Transport and Communications, Eamon Ryan, Jackie Mealy, Manager Local link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow, and Paddy Guilfoyle, Local Link Driver. Photo: Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography.

Local link bus service reports major rise in use in Laois and Offaly

Published:

The TFI Local Link bus service is being used by record numbers of people in rural Ireland, with more than 7,000 passenger journeys being taken each week on routes in Laois and Offaly, according to the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The authority said TFI Local Link bus services were being used more than 100,000 times a week across rural Ireland, including by 7,203 passengers in Laois and Offaly.

It said these local figures were being driven by the introduction or enhancement of six key routes, including Route 850, from Roscrea to Athlone, Route 831: from Rathdowney to Portlaoise, and Route 840: from Banagher to Tullamore.

These bus services are provided for the National Transport Authority (NTA) by 15 Local Link offices around the country, with the Laois Offaly office being based in Portlaoise.

The National Transport Authority said the figure of 105,986 passenger journeys nationally was recorded in the week ending October 13 last, and that it represents "a more-than five-fold increase compared to January 2022, when weekly passenger numbers were at 19,982".

Commenting on the passenger numbers, TFI Local Link Laois Offaly Manager, Frances Byrne, said: "Without our great staff, drivers and regular passengers, the achievement of reaching 100,000 passengers a day wouldn’t happen.

"The roll out of Connecting Ireland, with routes like the 840 Banagher to Tullamore, 823 Birr to Portlaoise, 822 Mountrath to Carlow, 834 Portlaoise to Roscrea, 858 Portlaoise to Thurles, 850 Athlone to Roscrea, and more to come, is increasing public transport and connecting our rural communities."

Commenting on the figures, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: "We have seen a transformation in public transport across rural Ireland and going by the numbers, people really like it.

"Reaching this milestone of 100,000 passengers a week is incredible but I’d like to think of it as just the beginning. We need to have buses cris-crossing this country and reaching into towns and villages everywhere.

"I want to extend my thanks to the Local Link offices, operators, and passengers who have made this achievement possible."

Published: