Plans for enhanced bus services on three Mayo routes

Minister of State Dara Calleary has welcomed proposed enhanced bus services for three Mayo routes as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan 2023.

He elaborated: “In what is one of the most ambitious plans yet for rural transport, 67 new or enhanced Connecting Ireland bus services are proposed, strengthening existing services and connecting more towns and townlands across the state.

"Last year, Connecting Ireland delivered 38 new and enhanced bus services across various counties, bringing new bus services to 67 additional towns.

"In 2022 almost €4 million was invested in implementing Connecting Ireland bus services, but this year that figure will double to €8.5 million provided by the Department of Transport and NTA.

"This year I am delighted that three Mayo routes are selected for inclusion in the plan – Route 978 Belmullet-Castlebar; Route 446 Belmullet-Ballina and Route 454 Ballina-Castlebar.

"Improving rural transport is one of the key priorities for the Department of Transport.

"The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, launched in 2021, has already played a key role in towns and villages across Ireland and providing people with new choices to travel by bus and these enhanced services in Mayo will play a huge role in making our towns and villages more accessible to everyone.”