New bus route for South Kildare to start on January 1

A new bus route between Athy and Kilkenny City, serving Carlow, will begin on January 1st 2023, it has been revealed. 

The route will be provided by TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow through funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Announcing the news, Minister of State and local TD Martin Heydon said: “Beginning in the New Year, the 897 Bus Route from Athy to Kilkenny City will replace Route 817, which previously provided one daily round trip between the two areas at midday.

"The newly enhanced service will provide a passage through Kilkenny, Castlecomer, Carlow Town, Athy and areas including Moneenroe, Crettyard, Newtown Cross and Ballylynan.”

“As part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a major national transport initiative developed and funded by the NTA, the route works towards increasing connectivity between towns and villages in Kildare and across the country.

 “There has been a lot of interest in a bus route from these local villages to access Athy and Kilkenny for shopping, hospital appointments, social activities and onwards journeys.

"Today, I am glad to see that come to fruition, and I look forward to the impact further connectivity will have for local residents.” Minister Heydon concluded.