Local Link is an invaluable resource for connecting our communities in Wicklow, Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Doyle has said.
Local Link provides both demand-responsive, door-to-door services on request, as well as scheduled bus services on fixed routes here in Wicklow.
The services are run on behalf of the NTA’s ‘Transport for Ireland’, by 17 groups throughout the country and are funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Michael Ring officially launched the Local Link brand at the National Ploughing Championships on Wednesday September 20th.
Minister Doyle said: “Local Link is in many ways the unsung hero of our public transport system and an invaluable resource for us locally.
“In launching the Local Link brand, we want to make sure people all over Ireland are aware that these fantastic local bus services exist, and that the work being done at local level here in Wicklow.
“The message is also that Local Link is very much open for business for everybody, including people going to work, families, students, tourists and visitors.
“Local Link is enabling people in remote rural areas to go shopping, get to hospital appointments and avail of services in their local towns and villages.
“With over 1.7 million such journeys taking place last year, it is providing an invaluable service to rural Ireland. The creation of the Local Link brand is an effort to increase awareness of the service as it continues to grow.
“I would like to very much welcome the move to bring rural transport services under the Local Link banner. I would also like to acknowledge the fact that thanks to Transport for Ireland and the National Transport Authority, these services have been going from strength to strength in rural areas across the country.
Local Link Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow provides Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services for passengers living in rural areas across county Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow and South Tipperary. The mission of the company is: “to ensure adequate transport for all rural residents across County Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow and South Tipperary”. The aim of the company is to offer transport to rural areas not already serviced by existing public or private transport services and, where possible, endeavour to integrate with existing transport services.