Ten-fold increase in number of customers in Kerry since rollout of Connecting Ireland began in January 2022

It’s a céad míle fáilte every week for TFI Local Link customers.

Ten-fold increase in number of customers in Kerry

Journey numbers have reached a record high, with people now using TFI Local Link bus services more than 100,000 times a week across rural Ireland, including 7,375 passengers in Kerry.

These bus services are provided for the National Transport Authority (NTA) by 15 Local Link Offices around the country. There were 105,986 passenger journeys on TFI Local Link services in the week ending 13 October 2024. This represents a more-than five-fold increase compared to January 2022, when weekly passenger numbers were at 19,982.

Passenger journey numbers have been increasing consistently for over three years now. The weekly national average was 16,745 in 2021; 36,664 in 2022; and 78,892 in 2023. Now it has surged to 100,000 – a new high.

This dramatic increase in numbers coincides with the rollout of the NTA’s Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, from January 2022. Since then, over 110 new and enhanced TFI Local Link routes have been introduced under the plan, covering every county

In Kerry alone, passenger numbers have increased by ten-fold, driven by the introduction or enhancement of eleven key routes. These include:

  • Routes introduced across the Dingle Peninsula including Routes 268, 276 and 277
  • Route 280: Waterville to Killarney

2024 is the third year of a five-year implementation plan for Connecting Ireland. Some 60 percent of the proposed services are now in place, with the remainder to be introduced in the coming years.

The new and enhanced services are proving to be very attractive to a new set of customers in rural Ireland, who are choosing TFI Local Link services to get to work, education, healthcare, and social activities.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan also acknowledged the milestone and the efforts behind the scenes, stating:

“We have seen a transformation in public transport across rural Ireland and going by the numbers, people really like it. Reaching this milestone of 100,000 passengers a week is incredible but I’d like to think of it as just the beginning. We need to have buses cris-crossing this country and reaching into towns and villages everywhere.”

“I want to extend my thanks to the Local Link offices, operators, and passengers who have made this achievement possible. The exponential growth we’re seeing – up five fold in just four years in many places – highlights the importance of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan in delivering improved access and inclusion for rural Ireland. We are building not just a better-connected Ireland, but a more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant one—thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.” 

Connecting Ireland transformative for rural communities …  and we’re not finished yet!

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA), expressed her gratitude for the collective effort:

“This achievement is a direct result of the dedication and hard work by a whole range of people and the continued support from passengers who have embraced the service.

“Reaching 100,000 passengers per week would not have been possible without the incredible commitment of the Local Link Offices and their staff as well as the drivers and the local bus operators, and I’d like to thank everyone who is involved.

“I was always optimistic that Connecting Ireland would prove to be a transformative plan for rural communities, but honestly, I’m completely blown away by the success story that it has become across the country. And we’re not finished yet!”

Growth from 15,136 in 2019 to 254,895 in 2023

Speaking on the results, TFI Local Link Kerry General Manager, Alan O’Connell:

“TFI Local Link Kerry have rolled out new high frequency bus services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan all across County Kerry over the last number of years and we have seen our passenger numbers on high frequency routes grow from 15,136 in 2019 to 254,895 in 2023 and these will be over 370,000 in 2024. Connecting Ireland has been a game changer for Public Transport provision across County Kerry. Connecting Ireland has proved that if you build it they will come.”

For more information about TFI Local Link services, please visit Transport for Ireland’s Local Link page or contact the Local Link Kerry Office at www.locallinkkerry.ie