TFI Local Link Galway will launch route 546 Castlerea to Ballinasloe, a new seven day a week service, from Monday 5th December. The service will operate three times a day in each direction, covering Castlerea, Williamstown, Glenamaddy, Kilkerrin, Moylough, Mountbellew, Caltra, Ahascragh and Ballinasloe.
The new service will also provide commuters with a new peak-time service that interchanges with direct services to Galway from Ballinasloe, and improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services at Castlerea.
Route 546 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.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD said: “The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility programme connects people and places in rural and urban areas, with accessible and sustainable public transport.
“This new seven day a week service will give people frequent, sustainable travel options at peak times that also connect with regional bus and rail services.
“This integrated approach to public transport is exactly what we need to help more people to see the benefits of the bus or train to get to their destinations”.
Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, added: “This new route will transform the lives of people living in nine towns and villages across Galway.
“Public transport services like these are so important for people living in rural Ireland, with frequent bus services allowing them to travel sustainably to work, education or leisure activities and providing an alternative to the car.
“This is the latest launch of new routes under the Connecting Ireland programme which aims to vastly improve bus networks across rural parts of the country, connecting people and places”.
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Galway Manager Joe Greally concluded: “This is a very welcome and exciting addition to the TFI Local link Galway network.
“We are very excited to be able to announce this vital service 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, please call the TFI Local Link Galway office on (091) 842 384, or visit locallinkgalway.ie or visit their Facebook page.