LIMERICK City will benefit from new bus services to Kilfinane, Nenagh and Athlone as part of the 2023 Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan launched by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan on Friday.
€8.5million is being invested by the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in providing 67 new or enhanced bus services around the country as part of the Green Party’s strategy to improve public transport in rural Ireland.
The Limerick to Kilfinane service is currently at planning and design stage and is expected to be operational in the second quarter of this year. The Athlone/Nenagh/Limerick and Nenagh to Limerick services are due to be operational in second half of the year.
Limerick Green Party TD Brian Leddin said this latest investment in public transport services in rural areas was part of one of the most ambitious plans yet for rural transport in Ireland.
“For too long, governments in Ireland have only catered for car-owners, but many people can’t afford to run a car, are too old or too young to drive, or simply don’t want to. Since taking office, we have been tireless in offering people real alternatives for getting around.
“The Green Party has rolled up its sleeves and is investing in making it easier, safer and cheaper to travel around rural Ireland. The lives of people across Ireland and especially in rural Ireland will be better off for years to come as a result of these decisions,” Deputy Leddin added.
