The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, with the National Transport Authority (NTA) today launched the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan for 2023 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

For more information visit: Connecting Ireland

In what is one of the most ambitious plans yet for rural transport, 67 new or enhanced Connecting Ireland bus services are proposed, strengthening existing services and connecting more towns and townlands across the state.

Commenting at today’s launch, Minister Eamon Ryan, said: “Massively improving rural transport is one of my key priorities as Minister for Transport.  The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, launched in 2021, has already played a key role in towns and villages across Ireland and providing people with new choices to travel by bus.

“But now, we want to go further and build on that success with many more new and enhanced routes planned for 2023.

“It’s clear that when you build it, they will come. We know from last year’s statistics that people respond positively to new routes and services, backed up by our new cheaper fares.  Young people, in particular, are choosing to use public transport more which is great.  It’s more convenient, it’s more accessible and frequent than it’s been and it’s cheaper than driving and paying for a parking spot all day in college or school.  The more people choose public transport the better it is for our environment as well.  Public transport, both rural and urban, is a key to Ireland meeting our emissions targets.”