TFI Local Link Kerry recently spoke with Wendy Swagerman of McCarthy Coaches. Wendy drives the below bus service on behalf of TFI Local Link Kerry
Route 285 – Castlecove – Caherdaniel – Waterville – Caherciveen – Glenbeigh – Killorglin
She kindly gave of some of her free time to answer a number of questions as part of our TFI Local Link Kerry Operator Q&A Series.
- From your own experience, what does Local Link Kerry mean to your passengers?
In my experience, Local Link Kerry is an essential lifeline for a lot of people, especially for the more remote places which the 285 route serves.
The 285 bus service connects with the Local Link R287A, R287B, R37 in Cahersiveen and Bus Éireann 279A in Killorglin. With the 285 Castlecove-Killorglin bus service, we are very happy to add just that little extra service where needed; ie ‘going the extra mile’. This is in addition to providing a safe and comfortable journey at set times which makes us provide a unique and valuable service to the population of South West Kerry.
- Funniest Moment or Wittiest comment you have experienced or heard coming from a passenger?
Funniest moment was when I parked my bus at the depot after a long, busy day and after I was finishing up and opened the door to get to my car keys, I heard a confused voice from the back of the bus ‘Uhhhm, where are we? Earlier in the day, in Cahersiveen, a young man got on my bus to travel to Killorglin. He went to the back row of seats, sat down and… fell asleep. There were a lot of passengers that day and he was hidden in the back row fast asleep even on the 60 minute ride back to the depot. Upon awakening, he nervously uttered that he was going to meet his girlfriend in Killorglin. 3 minutes later I was on his phone explaining to his girlfriend he was honestly telling the truth. Of course I gave him a spin into town to meet her. A week later, I met him with his girlfriend and we had a good laugh. Plenty of craic on the 285 bus!
- If you were stuck on a bus, who would you like it to be with & why?
That’s an easy one: With the love of my life for obvious reasons.
- If you could relocate your route to anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?
Well, like I told the office of the Killarney tour operator I was driving tourists from all over Ireland before I landed on the 285.. nothing beats Kerry. So I really wouldn’t know where else I’d rather drive my bus.
- Best advice you have heard from a Passenger?
Best advice I ever got was ‘Always be yourself and treat people the way you want to be treated’
Thanks to Wendy and all at McCarthy Coaches for participating in the latest of our Q&A series with our operators.
