Connecting Ireland Project Updates

Can't see anything online about it yet, apart from the piece on Galway Bay FM.

Incidentally, route 431 (Claremorris-Maam Cross-Carraroe) has had a revised timetable since October 19th - the first trip will now start in Claremorris, taking a connection out of the 05:15 train from Westport. Otherwise, running times have changed.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TFI-Local-Link-Galway-Route-431-Timetable-Claremorris-to-Carraroe-2fold.pdf

I’ll keep my eyes peeled - sounds like a fantastically scenic route.

I took the 419 via Roundstone last March and it was stunning.

The NTA have uploaded the first quarterly progress report:

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Connecting-Ireland-Quarterly-Bulletin-Issue-1.pdf

Route 432 - Clifden-Carraroe is to launch on Wednesday November 16th:

TFI Local Link Galway are launching a new bus service – Route 432 Carraroe to Clifden

14TH NOVEMBER 2022

From Wednesday 16th November, TFI Local Link Galway will launch route 432 Carraroe to Clifden, a new seven days a week service. The service will run three return services a day, covering Carraroe, Costelloe, Screebe, Derryrush, Kilkeran, Carna, Leheenagh, Roundstone, Ballyconeely and Clifden, creating a new connection between Roundstone and Costelloe.

The new service will also provide commuters with a new peak-time service that interchanges with direct services to Galway, and improved connectivity to regional bus services from Costelloe.

This new route is funded by the National Transport Authority as part of the Transport for Ireland Network.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Galway based Minister in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, said “I am delighted to see the launch of the new Route 432 service in Galway, connecting Carraroe and Clifden. As a Galway native, I am very aware of the need to connect people and places, especially in rural areas. High quality, accessible, affordable and safe services for all can play a crucial role in ensuring a modal shift from private to public transport. Public transport is not only an environmentally friendly option but also socially inclusive and economically accessible. This new service is especially timely as we head into winter with rising fuel and other costs”.

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Galway Manager Joe Greally said: “This is a very welcome and exciting addition to the Locallink Galway network. We are very excited to be able to announce this after many months of consultation and planning. We are sure that this new service will enhance the lives of the travelling public and give a viable alternative to private transport within this region“.

TFI Local Link rural transport services are an important component of daily life linking people with jobs, education, healthcare, shopping and recreation/tourist facilities. The design of a sustainable transport infrastructure has a fundamental impact on the health and wellbeing of people in the community. It helps address social isolation, improves overall accessibility and provides opportunities for active regular transport and daily physical activity.

For route and timetable information, call (091) 842 384 or visit locallinkgalway.ie

The timetable is here: https://www.locallinkgalway.ie/_files/ugd/9399e5_8854a671ecc640de82e67c2720f80b53.pdf

Fare information is here: https://www.locallinkgalway.ie/r432-fares

Latest addition from December 5th, a large extension of Local Link route 183 to operate from Arklow to Sallins, via Rathdrum, Wicklow, Glendalough, Wicklow Gap, Valleymount, Blessington and Naas.

It will replace Bus Éireann route 133L between Arklow and Wicklow via Rathdrum.

TFI Local Link Route 183 Sallins to Arklow 7-Day per Week Service

25TH NOVEMBER 2022

TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow is delighted to announce the enhancement of the Glendalough to Wicklow service which will be extended in both directions now serving Sallins to Arklow, making getting around Wicklow and Kildare by bus even easier.

Operating four times per day, seven days a week, the enhanced route will serve Arklow, Avoca Bridge, Wicklow Town, Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains to Blessington and onwards to Naas and Sallins – facilitating onward travel to Dublin with improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services.

This enhanced route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority, with the aim of increasing connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns. This new route is funded by the National Transport Authority as part of the TFI Network.

The existing service connecting Glendalough to Wicklow has served almost 50,000 passengers since its launch in April 2019. The service was hit like so many others in March 2020 which impacted capacity on public transport for close to two years. The current service will now bring an enhanced service to the people of Wicklow & Kildare.

Jackie Meally, General Manager, Local Link CKW said: “This is this first bus service to connect West Wicklow to East Wicklow which has been requested for many years, and this is one of the longest Local Link services in the country”.

The service will operate two buses starting at each end and is being operated on behalf of TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow by JJ Kavanagh & Sons.

To get the timetables contact the TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow office on 0818 42 41 41 or 056 771 5912. Alternatively, you can visit www.locallinkckw.ie or their Facebook & Twitter accounts.

The new timetable is here:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TFI-LL-R183-Sallins-to-Arklow-WEB5.pdf

Two further Local Link routes to launch from December 5th - First is Route 523:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-cork-launches-new-bus-service-between-mitchelstown-and-mallow/

TFI Local Link Cork Launches New Bus Service Between Mitchelstown and Mallow

2ND DECEMBER 2022

TFI Local Link Cork is delighted to announce the launch of a new bus service Route 523 connecting Mitchelstown and Mallow which is due to commence on December 05th, 2022. The new service will operate seven days a week with four return services per day Monday to Saturday and three return services on Sundays/Public Holidays.

Route 523 will provide greater frequency and flexibility than ever before with areas covered along the route including Mitchelstown, Kildorrery, Shanballymore, Doneraile and Mallow. The service will also facilitate commuters to access train services from Mallow for onward connections.

This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), with the aim of increasing connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns.

This new route is funded by the NTA as part of the TFI Network.

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Cork Manager David O’Brien said: “This new service will provide people living along the route access to services and onward connections on a daily basis. It will mean a significant improvement in the quality of life for people living in these areas.

People can now access a wide range of public and social services, training courses, colleges, hospital appointments, banks, etc. along with onward train and bus connections”.

Passengers who are in receipt of the Free Travel Pass may avail of these services and for all other passengers there is an affordable fare structure and the opportunity to use the TFI Go App for even more savings.

For more information visit: www.locallinkcork.ie or phone 025-51454

For route and timetable information, please call the TFI Local Link Cork office on 025-51454, or visit locallinkcork.ie or visit their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.

The timetable for route 523 is here:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/TFI-Local-Link-Cork-Route-523-Mitchelstown-to-Mallow.pdf

A new route M3 being launched in Monaghan and services enhanced on the existing M1 and M2 routes there from Monday December 5th.

New Public Transport for Monaghan Villages

2ND DECEMBER 2022

TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan is delighted to announce that a new ‘M3’ route, Mullan Village to Monaghan Town will launch on the 5th December 2022. The new service will operate seven days a week with five return services per day Friday and Saturday, and four return services on Sunday.

M3 is part of the new Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a major national public transport initiative developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), with the aim of increasing connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns. This new route is funded by the National Transport Authority as part of the Transport for Ireland Network.

M3 will provide connectivity between Mullan Village and Monaghan town, serving Emyvale, Glaslough, and Tyholland Village along the way, providing people from those areas with sustainable travel options to access, employment, education, retail, social services and onward travel connections from Monaghan Bus Station.

In addition to M3, the existing TFI Local Link services M1 and M2 are being enhanced, both of which will now operate a Sunday and Bank Holiday schedule, as well as enhancing the service area to include Coolshannagh and Ballyalbany through the M1 service.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said “The new M3 route with five services per day, seven days per week in conjunction with the enhanced M1 and M2 routes offering new Sunday services is a significant development for Cavan and Monaghan. This will give people across Cavan and Monaghan real choice when it comes to public transport. Importantly, these new spines will also help connect communities and businesses across the two counties, making it easier for people to use public transport to get to work, schools or to visit friends and families”.

Speaking at the launch of the service in Monaghan Town today, Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said “the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan has been developed by the National Transport Authority to increase public transport connectivity for all. These new and enhanced routes in Monaghan will transform the local network offering more frequent bus services connecting people with work, business and leisure activities in the area”.

TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan Manager, Padraic Smyth said “TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan is working in support of the Governments Sustainable Mobility Policy and believe that this new service and enhancements to existing services in Monaghan, compliment this agenda as well as the ‘Active Travel Programme’ being implemented through Monaghan County Council. Public Transport is a key component of Active Travel, providing an alternative mode for people in rural villages of Monaghan”.

TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan is delighted to have been the first to offer passengers, Leap and TFI Go App facilities on all of its Rural Regular Services earlier this year, and passengers on M3 can also avail of these ticket options, which are now more affordable than ever, due to the reductions implemented by Government in April of this year.

For route and timetable information, please call the TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan on 047-51840, or visit www.locallinkcm.ie, or visit their Facebook, or Instagram pages.

Timetables:

M1: https://www.locallinkcm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M1-Timetable-Dec-22.pdf

M3: https://www.locallinkcm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M3-Timetable-Dec-22.pdf

The M2 change happens on December 11th and the timetable is yet to appear online

The new M2 timetable is now online:

https://www.locallinkcm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M2-Timetable-Dec-22.pdf

Five services a day on Sundays between Monaghan, Ballybay and Castleblayney.

Next up is new route 527 linking Charleville with Mallow:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-cork-launches-new-service-connecting-charleville-and-mallow/

TFI Local Link Cork Launches New Service Connecting Charleville and Mallow

9TH DECEMBER 2022

TFI Local Link Cork is delighted to announce the launch of a new bus service, Route 522 Charleville to Mallow, which is due to commence on December 12th 2022. The new service will operate seven days a week with four return services per day Monday to Saturday and three return services on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Route 522 will provide greater connectivity and flexibility than ever before, with areas covered along the route including Charleville, Newtownshandrum, Domina, Freemount, Liscarroll, Churchtown, Buttevant, Newtwopothouse and Mallow. The service will also connect commuters with train services from Mallow for onward journeys.

This is the second new service to begin operation in the area and follows the launch earlier this month of Route 523 from Mitchelstown to Mallow which provides greater frequency and flexibility than ever before with areas covered along the route including Mitchelstown, Kildorrery, Shanballymore, Doneraile and Mallow.

This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), with the aim of increasing connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns. This new route is funded by the NTA as part of the TFI Network.

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Cork Manager David O’Brien said: “This new service will provide people living along the route with access to services and onward connections on a daily basis. It will mean a significant improvement in the quality of life for people living in these areas. People can now access a wide range of public and social services, training courses, colleges, hospital appointments, banks, etc. along with onward train and bus connections”.

Passengers who are in receipt of the Free Travel Pass may avail of these services and for all other passengers there is an affordable fare structure and the opportunity to use the TFI Go App for even more savings.

For route and timetable information, please call the TFI Local Link Cork office on 025-51454, or visit locallinkcork.ie or visit their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.

Timetable is here:

https://locallinkcork.com/wp-content/uploads/Local-Link-Cork-522-Current-Timetable.pdf

Finally, some advance notice of the cancellation of TFI Route 817 (Kilkenny-Castlecomer-Athy-Naas-Dublin) at the end of the year, which was introduced after JJ Kavanagh removed some services through those towns. It's to be replaced with a new Local Link route 897 between Kilkenny and Athy and more stops on the GAI operated route 130/130A.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/customer-notice-route-817-kilkenny-city-to-dublin-city-bus-service-to-be-replaced-by-route-897-kilkenny-city-to-athy/

Customer Notice: Route 817 (Kilkenny City to Dublin City) Bus Service to be Replaced by Route 897 (Kilkenny City to Athy)

7TH DECEMBER 2022

From 01 January 2023, services on bus Route 817 will be replaced by new and expanded services on Route 897 between Kilkenny City and Athy, and by the introduction of additional stops on Route 130/A between Athy and Dublin City.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has reviewed the performance of Route 817 which currently provides one round trip between Kilkenny City and Dublin City in the middle of the day, 7 days a week . This review identified that since its introduction in 2017 there has been poor usage levels of the service in both directions. Since launching the service has carried an average of only 12 passengers on each bus journey. This figure reduced to 6 passengers on average during the height of the COVID pandemic. Post pandemic, patronage recovered to 9 passengers on average in each direction and has remained at that level.

Through its planning and development work on the Connecting Ireland programme the Authority is aware that funding assigned to this route can be better used to provide a higher-level service to more effectively meet the needs of the areas served. Alternative services will be provided to meet the needs of existing Route 817 passengers and to attract new custom.

Route 897 (Kilkenny City – Athy)

From 01 January 2023 TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow will operate new Route 897 serving Kilkenny – Castlecomer – Carlow Town – Athy. This new route will run a return service 7 days a week and will also serve areas including Moneenroe, Crettyard, Newtown Cross and Ballylynan. Table 1 shows the Route 897 timetable.

Table 2 below shows the timetable of service that will be provided on Route 897.

Route 130/A (Athy – Naas – Dublin City)

To facilitate customers from areas between Athy and Naas who previously travelled to Newlands Cross on Route 817, route 130/A will serve bus stop no. 2176 at Newlands Cross on the approach to the city centre, from 1st January 2023.

Table 1 below shows the timetable of service that will be provided on route 130/A.

Further Information

Table 1

Table 2

Please see more detailed information at the following links

• https://www.goaheadireland.ie/services/03/130

TFI Local Link route information is available on the Transport for Ireland website or on the TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow website.

The station is probably just a handy location to park the bus in Castlerea - that’s where the bus operating BE route 429 parks overnight.

As for no options, that depends on when and where you’re going.

There are other public and commercial bus routes in the area.

Bus Éireann routes 425/a

Bus Éireann route 429

Bus Éireann route 65 (Fridays only)

Brendan Boyle Coaches (Bus4u.net) route 433

There may be connections with Citylink at Ballinasloe too.

Next up on Monday 16th January, 2023 is route 188 from Drogheda to Athboy:

TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal launches new service

11TH JANUARY 2023

TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal is delighted to announce that from the 16th of January 2023 Route 188 will provide new services between Athboy, Navan and Drogheda.

Route 188 will run eight times per day, seven days a week including bank holidays. The service will create a new connection to Kentstown and Duleek as well as servicing Athboy, Navan, Donore and Drogheda with ancillary services from Rathcairn. Route 188 will provide enhanced access to numerous amenities including tourist attractions such as Newgrange (Brú Na Bóinne) and Battle of the Boyne, regional access to hubs, bus services and hospitals in both Drogheda and Navan and access to local towns for employment and education.

This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland Network.

Speaking ahead of the route launch, Miriam McKenna, TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal Manager said:

“We are delighted to announce TFI Local Link Service 188, connecting people to Athboy, Navan, Kentstown, Duleek, Donore, and Drogheda, providing greater connectivity for people to employment, education, training, shopping, and social activities.

“Route 188 will stop at both Navan and Drogheda hospitals and also stop at Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne) and the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre. Payment can be made using the TFI Go App and passengers can benefit from the TFI Leap reduced fares on public transport which is better for your pocket and for the environment.

“TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal is currently working with the NTA designing new bus routes under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and with more services coming in 2023 these new routes will be transformative and have a fundamental impact on the health and wellbeing of people in the community”.

For route and timetable information, please call the TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal office on Tel: 046-9074830, Tel: 1800 303 707.

Email: lmf@locallink.ie or visit locallinklmf.ie/or their Facebook, or Twitter pages.

Updated Route 188 timetable to correct an error in the earlier version:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TFL-Local-Link-Route-188-DL-Leaflet-6pp-1.pdf

They are proceeding, but with changes following the consultation. Mainly involving increased frequencies, but with some minor routing changes.

No final map was published, so the best reference point is what was published originally.

They did publish a post-consultation report which has influenced some of the changes, so no, it wasn’t a “box-ticking exercise”.

The Claremorris-Maam Cross-Carraroe service wasn’t in the original plan for example.

The first quarterly progress report lists the routes launched or due to launch in 2022.

A second update should, one would expect, follow soon which will inform us about what will follow in 2023.

Well why not get on to them directly about it?

In my experience that tends to be the best way to get answers rather than asking here.

I will keep updating this thread in any case for any updates.

I’m only saying that you might get a more direct answer from them if you ask them by email. They may have one internally, I don’t know!

The rest of us can only offer supposition!

There wasn’t anything added since except the quarterly progress report and the second one of those is now due.

I’d contact the NTA directly as well - the more pressure the better.

The one thing to bear in mind is that it’s a single bus operation by the looks of things, so driver hours could be an issue. But the old maxim applies, don’t ask, don’t get!

The Minister has launched the 2023 phase of routes - some additions and enhancements that weren’t in the original plan which is great to see, along with further enhancements of existing services.

Lots to look forward to!

A full listing of planned routes for 2023 (and a map) is at the bottom below.

Minister for Transport and NTA launch ambitious rural bus plan for 2023

17TH FEBRUARY 2023

67 new or enhanced rural bus services proposed across Ireland this year in Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan 

Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, with the National Transport Authority (NTA) today launched the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan for 2023 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

In what is one of the most ambitious plans yet for rural transport, 67 new or enhanced Connecting Ireland bus services are proposed, strengthening existing services and connecting more towns and townlands across the state.

Last year, Connecting Ireland delivered 38 new and enhanced bus services across various counties, bringing new bus services to 67 additional towns. In 2022 almost €4m was invested in implementing Connecting Ireland bus services, but this year that figure will double to €8.5m provided by the Department of Transport and NTA.

These services are provided on behalf of the NTA by 15 TFI Local Link offices nationwide, including Laois/ Offaly Local Link which is managed by Frances Byrne, who attended today’s launch.

Bus Éireann, will also be a key partner in delivery of new Connecting Ireland services this year. Some 20 of the routes identified in the 2023 implementation plan are to be delivered by Bus Éireann in counties such as Galway, Waterford, Clare and Cork.

Response by customers to new services in rural Ireland has been very strong, with passenger numbers on buses returning to pre-Covid levels. This is particularly the case on TFI Local Link services in rural Ireland. The annual passenger journey figure for 2019 was 2.5m. Covid had a serious impact on passenger numbers in 2020 and 2021, but in 2022, they rose to 2.8m, a recovery of 112%. Weekly passenger numbers peaked at over 45,000 on weeks in November and December 2022, confirming people’s desire to use the improved and enhanced services.

Commenting at today’s launch, Minister Eamon Ryan, said: “Massively improving rural transport is one of my key priorities as Minister for Transport. The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, launched in 2021, has already played a key role in towns and villages across Ireland and providing people with new choices to travel by bus.

“But now, we want to go further and build on that success with many more new and enhanced routes planned for 2023.

“It’s clear that when you build it, they will come. We know from last year’s statistics that people respond positively to new routes and services, backed up by our new cheaper fares. Young people, in particular, are choosing to use public transport more which is great. It’s more convenient, it’s more accessible and frequent than it’s been and it’s cheaper than driving and paying for a parking spot all day in college or school. The more people choose public transport the better it is for our environment as well. Public transport, both rural and urban, is a key to Ireland meeting our emissions targets.”

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said: “NTA is proud to launch our Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan for implementation in 2023, which will deliver better access to safe, reliable, and more frequent bus services connecting towns and villages.

“The NTA is continuing its efforts to improve rural bus services by identifying areas that require additional services, and we are committed to continuing to develop connectivity and mobility in rural areas through the phased rollout of new and enhanced bus services this year and in future years.”

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, an initiative of the NTA, is an ambitious programme of enhancements to create a more integrated, accessible and sustainable public transport network for rural Ireland.

The Connecting Ireland Plan continues to have a significant positive impact on rural communities giving people access to high frequency public transport bus services and connecting locations to other regional TFI bus and rail services.

Growth in TFI Local Link public transport passenger numbers

The factors for the growth in Local Link public transport passenger numbers include:

• Connecting Ireland – new and enhanced routes for the TFI Local Link network offering more local and regional connectivity;
• The addition of cashless payment options including TFI Leap and TFI Go; and
• A reduction in the cost of fares – 20% cost of living.

For more information see:

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Connecting-Ireland-Phase-2-Implementation-Plan-2023-Rev2-V3.pdf

This project is about enhancing existing services as well as adding new ones.

There are plenty of existing routes in the list.

Planning can refer to deciding on planned service levels.

Effective Monday 13th February Northwest Busways ceased operating their commercial routes 952 and 957 from the Inishowen Peninsula to Derry.

These have now been taken over as PSO routes by LocalLink Donegal Sligo Leitrim effective the same date.

As I said before, the project is a work in progress.

I suspect that the focus when launching route 546 was on providing a connection to allow people travel to and from Ballinasloe for a day’s work. And the service does just that.

With a single bus and driver you are very limited in what can be done due to maximum driving hours.

But I totally agree re the lack of connections - they shouldn’t have been touted as it is obviously nonsense, but it’s something that over time could be addressed.

We have seen other services’ timetables revised over time, so I wouldn’t be too pessimistic yet.