Longford one of only three Night Time Economy areas chosen for new Pilot Bus service

​Longford is one of three rural Night-Time Economy locations where a new late-night transport pilot service is being rolled out.

‘The One @ One’ is a 1am bus service that will be operated by Local Link and will run on Route 865: Longford Centre to Granard.

The service will operate at 1am over the May, June, August and October Bank Holiday weekends and on Culture Night.

‘The One @ One’ will be provided for five Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the plan for data to be gathered and impact to be measured to inform future planning.

The pilot dates are; May Bank Holiday: Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3, June Bank Holiday, Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31, August Bank Holiday: Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, Culture Night: Friday, September 18, October Bank Holiday: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25.

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As rural Night-Time Economy pilot towns, Longford, along Buncrana and Sligo, have consistently identified access to safe, reliable late-night transport as one of the most significant barriers to nighttime participation.

This pilot initiative, announced by Minister for the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, aims to test tailored solutions designed specifically for smaller towns and dispersed rural communities.

Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive, Longford County Council said, "This pilot is a very practical response to a real issue that people in Longford have raised time and again — getting home safely at night.

"The One @ One’ service supports our local night-time economy, gives people more confidence to go out locally, and reduces the need to rely on private cars. Longford County Council is pleased to work with our partners to test solutions that make our town safer, more accessible and more welcoming for everyone.”

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Minister Patrick O'Donovan said, “I’m very aware that rural areas can face greater challenges than larger urban centres, when it comes to transport and accessing night-time activities.

"That’s why I’m delighted to support the launch of this pilot initiative as part of the Night-Time Economy programme. It’s especially encouraging to see the strong collaboration between the three counties and their local authorities in working together to address shared needs.”

Developed as a targeted response to research and extensive local consultation, ‘The One @ One’ will support safer, more accessible travel for residents and visitors while strengthening the vibrancy of the rural night-time economy.

The pilot directly aligns with national policy commitments to improve inclusivity, safety and connectivity across Ireland’s rural towns during evening and night-time hours.

The service will operate on several busy weekends and key dates throughout the year, giving people more ways to travel safely after a night out.

These trial periods will help partners understand demand, monitor usage, and shape future late-night transport options for rural communities across the country.

This pilot initiative is a partnership between the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the National Transport Authority, and Local Link, delivered in collaboration with Longford County Council.

Ed Betagh, Local Link Programme Manager, National Transport Authority said, "NTA is a strong supporter of the Night-Time Economy and understands the importance of improving our public transport network to ensure our passengers can get home from work or from a night out with friends later in the evening.

"We are already investing in late night services in cities and towns across the country, and this pilot project will bring these benefits to even more people."