TFI Local Link Limerick Clare launched three new bus routes over a week ago. They have doubled the number of Regular Rural Services (RRS) in the county from three to six. The three new RRS’ will all operate seven days a week in what is seen as a major boost in public transport for the people of Clare.
On the ground locals have been reacting very positively to the news. The TFI Local Link team visited businesses in Flagmount, Feakle, Scariff, Mountshannon, Whitegate, Tuamgraney and Bodyke last week. The reaction was very positive and businesses were happy to promote the new services to people in order to make it easier for them to give them custom.
Speaking last Wednesday at his shop in Flagmount, Thomas O’Mara of O’Mara’s General Store said ‘It is enormous. For the people living within the area, it will give them access to anywhere on the bus route and also for people that want to come into the area, I think it will open up Flagmount to the rest of the county. We have a lot to offer.’
‘Wherever they are, they can come to Flagmount for the day. They can work from the digital hub if they want to work for their day then take a walk to the lake on their break. They can take a four kilometre walk that will take two and a half hours on the Cahermurphy loop and then they can go back to work. So we have a lot to offer.’
Flagmount is served on the new TFI Local Link route 342 running seven days a week three return trips a day and travels to Feakle, Scariff, Tulla and onto Ennis.
The new TFI Local Link route 344 will commence its journey in Whitegate and travel to Ennis. It will run four return journeys Monday to Sunday. Whitegate is in close proximity to the Dromaan and Williamstown marinas on the shores of Lough Derg and Dromaan is a trail head for the Lough Derg Blueway. Inis Cealtra (Holy Island), which is located at the mouth of Scariff Bay on Lough Derg is growing in popularity and is accessible from Mountshannon pier. This new route will really benefit these two villages in particular and will enable better access for locals and tourists.
The new TFI Local Link Route 318 will be TFI Local Link’s first Ennis to Limerick service. The route will take in towns and villages including Quin, Kilkishen, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Broadford and Ardnacrusha. The route will have three return journeys a day Monday to Sunday with the addition of an early morning connection Quin to Limerick and late evening Limerick to Quin.
To give an example of the increased connectivity, Broadford is currently served by a one day a week TFI Bus Eireann route 346 on a Saturday and an existing TFI Local Link C10 on a Thursday. The new 318 TFI Local Link service will build significantly on this to provide a seven day a week service with four return journeys a day.
Quin village has seen a large population increase over the last number of years. The new TFI Local Link 318 provides a much needed boost in public transport services to the area.
From a tourism perspective following on from the recent transfer of Shannon Heritage tourist sites to Clare County Council, TFI Local Link have included a stop at Knappogue Castle. Another prominent tourist attraction along the route is Quin Abbey. It is one of the most well preserved Franciscan abbey’s in Ireland, with much of the remains in their original state.
The need for the expansion of TFI Local Link services was voiced by the local communities, community groups, Clare County Council and Elected Representatives during a period of public consultation in January 2023. Working with the NTA’s Connecting Ireland Team, TFI Local Link Limerick Clare focused on enhancing the services to meet the needs identified by those who took part in the public consultation.
