Local Link Cork officially launched the new 254 bus service today (16 January 2020) in Bandon, Co Cork. This service, which has been running since October, is managed and operated by Local Link Cork. This Local Link service provides a valuable public transport service between Bandon, Innishannon, Ballinspittle, Kilbrittain, Kinsale and Kinsale College.
The service is funded by the National Transport Authority and operates daily return services from Bandon to Kinsale. It serves Bandon, Innishannon, Ballinspittle, Kilbrittain, Kinsale and Kinsale College. This rural-transport funded service is a mainstream public transport service available to everyone.
The 254 provides greater connectivity than ever before for these communities in Bandon and Kinsale, who can now avail of quality public transport at local level.
Local Link Cork Manager, David O’Brien said:
“This is a very exciting development for the people wishing to travel between these two towns as well as a great boost for the local villages. The service will cater for both workers commuting between the towns and students wishing to get to college.”
This project represents a significant investment in rural transport specifically and public transport generally by the state.
NTA CEO Anne Graham said:
“Providing a decent public transport option for people in rural areas is a critical element of what the NTA is about.
Local Link is already a great success story and has become a permanent part of Ireland’s public transport system.
With services like the 254 we have an opportunity to provide for rural Ireland, a public transport service that is better integrated with other national services and that is more useful to more people.
The Government’s ‘Ireland2040’ plan makes a commitment to the future funding of Local Link, which means that the programme will not only survive, but will thrive and develop at the heart of rural communities in the years to come.”
Local Link Cork, who are operating the service on behalf of the National Transport Authority (NTA), are based in offices in both Bantry and Fermoy. Local Link Cork already operate a very popular daily service from Kinsale to Clonakilty Route 253, and Mitchelstown to Fermoy Route 245C.
