Two new public transport routes for East Waterford have come into existence today.
Just two weeks ago, Bus Éireann announced that they would be taking over the routes that were going to be left without a service once Suirway ceased operating.
The company ceased operations yesterday, after 123 years, and since this morning two new services are running.
The 358 will be operated by Local Link four times daily, each way, and will service Waterford City to Passage East, Dunmore East and Tramore.
And the 354 will be a Bus Éireann bus running seven times daily to Dunmore East, Waterford City, and Portlaw.
Speaking to WLR News, Portlaw Councillor Declan Clune, says it's a day of mixed emotions.
"It's a huge relief to have a replacement service there with higher frequencies and more connectivity," he said.
Despite this, he said many people had loyalties to Suirway and had become quite friendly with the drivers.
Before it was announced that a replacement would be put in place, people were very concerned.
"There wasn't a day went by that I wasn't getting calls or messages or whatever about it," Councillor Clune said.
The service not only got people to and from the City, but it acted as an "escape" for others.
One woman told Councillor Clune she used the service just to get out of the village at times.
As well as those looking for an escape, students will also greatly benefit from the new services.
A fare of €1 to the City makes the bus an affordable mode of transport for those traveling from the East of the county.
The updated timetables for the new routes can be found here.
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