TFI Local Link Waterford is launching a new bus service to improve connectivity between Dungarvan and Clonmel Monday 12th June.
This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.
Route 356 will operate 5 daily return services 7 days a week creating a brand new connection from Dungarvan to South Tipperary Hospital. The route from Dungarvan to Clonmel will offer enhanced connectivity to villages and areas such as Ballinroad, Touraneena, and Ballymacarbry.
This new bus service will also provide increased frequency between Dungarvan town and Ballinroad, improved connectivity to rail services in Clonmel, and a peak-time service for commuters.
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Waterford Manager, James O’Donoghue said:
“We are delighted that the NTA continues to support the ongoing development of local bus services under the Connecting Ireland Plan and are confident that the Dungarvan to Clonmel service will be well supported by the local communities en route. The expansion of public transport services across County Waterford will open up opportunities not only for local residents to make connections for employment, health, education, and recreational opportunities, but also allow visitors to access the many areas of historic interest and natural beauty across the County.
The timetable is designed to allow people traveling from Dungarvan and other locations to get to Clonmel before 9 am, with 5 return services Monday to Sunday, the first service to Clonmel will leave Ballinroad at 7.30 am and the last return service in the evening will leave Clonmel at 9 pm, creating a vital link between the two towns.
The route will also provide service between Ballinroad and Dungarvan.
"We believe that there is a significant demand for a public bus link from Ballinroad and it will now have 10 services Monday to Saturday and 5 on Sundays to Dungarvan.”
Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins and Tipperary Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn have jointly welcomed the launch.
“This is something that residents in these areas have raised with me while I have been out engaging with communities on various issues and I have no doubt this new route will prove very popular in both directions", said Senator Cummins.
Senator Ahearn said: "The new bus service from Dungarvan to Clonmel will be extremely welcomed by local communities in both west Waterford and south Tipperary. Increasing public transport in rural Ireland has been a major priority for Fine Gael and this is a perfect example of connecting two significant towns in the South East Region. I look forward to seeing this route being a success over the coming years and more routes being added to enhance the overall experience of commuting in rural Ireland."
