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Continuity of service a priority as search for new East Waterford bus service continues

Continuity of service a priority as search for new East Waterford bus service continues
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People in Portlaw, Passage East, and Dunmore East will not be without a bus service come the end of the month.

The National Transport Authority have said Suirway's current routes will be replaced as it is considered a public service obligation to do so.

That's according to Waterford TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh.

"Hopefully, in the long term it will mean that people travelling on those routes will be able to avail of things like better fares," he told Déise Today, "if they're travelling on the Leap Card, those under 24 will be able to avail of the 50% discount that we've seen on public transport services across the board."

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"But I think the most important thing is that we ensure a continuity of service for those people in Passage East, Dunmore East, and in Portlaw."

Suirway, which announced it would have to cease trading at the end of this month, covered that area, which incorporates about 15,000 people.

Continuing, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said there are two options to replacing Suirway's routes:

"There are two types of contracts they can move to after that: one is the direct contract, which would be for Bus Éireann to step in directly on the route; the other would be to go to competitive tender.

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"That would allow Bus Éireann to tender for it but would also allow other operators, for example Local Link, to tender for those routes as well."

The NTA has confirmed that there is a Public Service Obligation (PSO) when it comes to that route and that means that funding can be unlocked to put in a bridging service.

Suirway are due to finish up on the 31st of October.

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