Over 4,000 people using Local Link services
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD joined the NTA to celebrate the achievement of over 100,000 weekly passengers now using TFI Local Link services across the country. Pictured from left to right are, 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 Eamon Ryan; Jackie Mealy, Manager Local link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow, and Paddy Guilfoyle, Local Link driver. Pic. Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography
Over 4,000 people a week are now using TFI Local Link services in Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath, according to the latest figures.
Figures show that journey numbers have reached a record high, with people now using TFI Local Link bus services more than 100,000 times a week across rural Ireland, including 4,075 passengers in Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath.
The bus services are provided for the National Transport Authority (NTA) by 15 Local Link Offices around the country. There were 105,986 passenger journeys on TFI Local Link services in the week ending October 13th, 2024. This represents a more-than five-fold increase compared to January 2022, when weekly passenger numbers were at 19,982.
In Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath passenger numbers have more than doubled, driven by the introduction of two key services, Route 426, Longford to Roscommon and Route 819, Mullingar to Athlone.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan acknowledged the milestone and the efforts behind the scenes, stating: “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 criss-crossing this country and reaching into towns and villages everywhere.”
TFI Local Link Roscommon Longford Westmeath General Manager, Damien O’Neill said: “TFI Local Link Roscommon Longford Westmeath is dedicated to providing reliable and accessible transport services that enhance connectivity, making it easier for residents to travel within their communities and beyond. The success of the ‘Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan,’ including services like the 426 Longford to Roscommon and 819 Athlone to Mullingar, along with other regular routes such as the LR24 Ballymahon to Longford, 570 Boyle to Roscommon, 571 Arigna via Drumshanbo to Boyle, 865 Granard to Longford, and 1794 Castlerea, has significantly improved public transport.
“These services enable people to access college, local employment, leisure activities, and more through sustainable, affordable, and accessible modes of transport. Additionally, our traditional demand-responsive services, which can collect passengers at their door (subject to service restrictions), have contributed to TFI Local Link reaching 100,000 passenger journeys per week.”
