Five Fold Increase in Passenger Journeys Using Rural Public Transport
6th November 2024
Waterford TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh has welcomed the figures from the National Transport Authority showing a fivefold increase in passenger journeys using rural public transport since the nationwide roll out of Connecting Ireland, saying it proves the adage ‘If you build it, they will come.’
Marc Ó Cathasaigh said:
“The commitment we wrote into the Programme for Government, to triple the number of passenger journeys taken on our Local Link buses, was hard fought for. In fact, we were told it was unrealistic, that it couldn’t be done. But not only have we hit that target, we’ve surpassed it. It’s a clear case of ‘If you build it, they will come!’ This is all about choice – if people are given a reliable and affordable alternative to the car, they’ll take it.”
“Our Local Link services here in Waterford are proving extremely popular, people are very much voting with their feet. Existing services have been expanded, and passenger demand has risen to meet them. The 363 Route, connecting Tallow, Lismore and Cappoquin to Dungarvan is one of the busiest Local Link services in the country. In the east of the county, the 358 has created a link between the coastal communities in Tramore, Dunmore and Passage and onwards to the hospital, creating connectivity that was never there before. Waterford’s weekly Local Link passenger journey numbers are close on 7,000 per week, an increase of well in excess of 250%. These local bus services are extremely popular and in demand. It’s the Greens in government that prioritised investment in rural public transport – we need the Greens back to keep that progress going.”
There are 15 Local Link offices around the country. There were 105,986 passenger journeys on TFI Local Link services in week ending 13 October, 2024. This represents a more-than five-fold increase compared to January 2022 when weekly numbers were at 19,982.
This dramatic increase in numbers coincides with the rollout of NTA’s Connecting Ireland – Rural Transport Programme, from January 2022. Since then, over 110 new and enhanced TFI Local Link routes have been introduced under the programme, covering every county. 2024 is the third year of a five-year implementation programme for Connecting Ireland. Some 60 per cent of the proposed services are now in place with the remainder to be introduced in the coming years.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan also 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 cris-crossing this country and reaching into towns and villages everywhere. This is only the beginning.” “I want to extend my thanks to the Local Link offices, operators, and passengers who have made this achievement possible. The exponential growth we’re seeing – up four or five fold in just four years in many places – highlights the importance of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan in delivering improved access and inclusion for rural Ireland. We are building not just a better-connected Ireland, but a more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant one—thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.”
PRESS RELEASE: Five Fold Increase in Passenger Journeys Using Rural Public Transport
6th November 2024
Waterford TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh has welcomed the figures from the National Transport Authority showing a fivefold increase in passenger journeys using rural public transport since the nationwide roll out of Connecting Ireland, saying it proves the adage ‘If you build it, they will come.’
Marc Ó Cathasaigh said:
“The commitment we wrote into the Programme for Government, to triple the number of passenger journeys taken on our Local Link buses, was hard fought for. In fact, we were told it was unrealistic, that it couldn’t be done. But not only have we hit that target, we’ve surpassed it. It’s a clear case of ‘If you build it, they will come!’ This is all about choice – if people are given a reliable and affordable alternative to the car, they’ll take it.”
“Our Local Link services here in Waterford are proving extremely popular, people are very much voting with their feet. Existing services have been expanded, and passenger demand has risen to meet them. The 363 Route, connecting Tallow, Lismore and Cappoquin to Dungarvan is one of the busiest Local Link services in the country. In the east of the county, the 358 has created a link between the coastal communities in Tramore, Dunmore and Passage and onwards to the hospital, creating connectivity that was never there before. Waterford’s weekly Local Link passenger journey numbers are close on 7,000 per week, an increase of well in excess of 250%. These local bus services are extremely popular and in demand. It’s the Greens in government that prioritised investment in rural public transport – we need the Greens back to keep that progress going.”
There are 15 Local Link offices around the country. There were 105,986 passenger journeys on TFI Local Link services in week ending 13 October, 2024. This represents a more-than five-fold increase compared to January 2022 when weekly numbers were at 19,982.
This dramatic increase in numbers coincides with the rollout of NTA’s Connecting Ireland – Rural Transport Programme, from January 2022. Since then, over 110 new and enhanced TFI Local Link routes have been introduced under the programme, covering every county. 2024 is the third year of a five-year implementation programme for Connecting Ireland. Some 60 per cent of the proposed services are now in place with the remainder to be introduced in the coming years.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan also 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 cris-crossing this country and reaching into towns and villages everywhere. This is only the beginning.” “I want to extend my thanks to the Local Link offices, operators, and passengers who have made this achievement possible. The exponential growth we’re seeing – up four or five fold in just four years in many places – highlights the importance of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan in delivering improved access and inclusion for rural Ireland. We are building not just a better-connected Ireland, but a more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant one—thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.”
