Service in Leitrim towns has had 'huge and positive difference' but later services called for

Improvements in public transport and the expansion of Local Link services in particular saying the Local Link buses have made "a huge and positive difference to the social lives of people living in rural Ireland" but later services would would alleviate pressure on the taxi-sector and allow those living in rural areas to socialise in the evening. 

Sligo/Leitrim Nessa Cosgrove, this week, praised recent Highlighting communities throughout Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal, who in recent years have been connected through Local Link, the Labour Party Spokesperson on Rural and Community Development said: “Just to mention a few that stand out -  Ballinamore, Dromahair, Bunninaden, Gurteen, Ballymote, Geevagh, Riverstown. These are all places which have been connected not only with local centres, such as Sligo, Carrick & Bundoran/Ballyshannon, but with each other. It means that at this time of year especially someone in Geevagh can get on the 572 and visit friends in Riverstown or Drumshanbo. Someone in Coolaney can hop on the 981 to socialise in Ballisodare or Collooney.”

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“I am lucky enough to serve on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and have seen from my work on this committee and on the ground the desire and the demand that is there to extend the routes to communities which Local Link hasn’t reached yet. Community groups in areas such as Calry and Newtownmanor, are pushing really hard to have daily Local Link services in their communities. These, grass-root campaigns are really important and I look forward to continue working alongside these groups in the year ahead. The fact that Tubbercurry, as the second largest town in County Sligo, and the area around Tubbercurry is so poorly served by public transport means that we have to really push for improved transport links in South Sligo in the near term.”

Senator Cosgrove added: “It would be great to see easy to implement initiatives such as extending the hours that Local Link, Bus Eireann and Irish Rail Services operate. Some services operate late into the evening especially at weekends, and that is fantastic to see. Most don’t, however, meaning that it can be difficult to enjoy even a moderately late night out, for instance a late film, or a show, is ruled out for many who need to get the last bus home. People have worked hard all year, and the atmosphere in Sligo, in Carrick and the other towns in the Constituency is so good over Christmas. There is so much to do in terms of films, shows, meals out, music and socialising. The opportunity to engage should be extended to as many people as possible. The operation of later evening buses will also alleviate pressure on the taxi-sector. We heard this week again that taxis are in short-supply at peak times, such as late at night over the Christmas period. Extended Public Transport hours would help alleviate some of this.”

She concluded: “There are also wider economic benefits which would derive to the region through more people moving around, spending money locally in cafes, pubs, restaurants, theatres etc. Just as importantly there are social benefits such as reducing loneliness and isolation which can be a major factor at this time of year, particularly for those living alone. I’m calling on those in charge of the Timetables over Christmas to make help deliver these benefits to the region, particularly over the month ahead.”