New bus service between Nenagh and Limerick
Bus Éireann has announced an enhanced bus service between Limerick and Nenagh via Birdhill, Ballina, Portroe and Newtown.
The move comes as Tipperary Co Council writes to Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority seeking faster train speeds on the underused Limerick-Nenagh-Ballybrophy line. A revisited timetable is also being sought for the line, which local councillors believe should be used as a commuter service and transport option for third level students in Limerick.
Bus Éireann is providing an enhanced service on its 323 route, which comprises seven daily weekday services to both Limerick and Nenagh, including seven Saturday services to both destinations, and three Sunday services to both Limerick and Nenagh.
Times on the 323 route are spread throughout the day and include late evening services. All services serve the University of Limerick campus. The total journey time between Nenagh and Limerick on this route is around 90 minutes.
Previously, there was only one return trip on a Tuesday and Friday that linked Portroe to Nenagh in the late morning and early afternoon. These trips started and finished in Scariff; Portroe was not previously linked to Limerick.
It is understood that these new services will commence in the coming weeks, possibly before the end of 2020. The Bus Éireann news was welcomed at this week's meeting of Tipperary Co Council by Cllr Noel Coonan, who hoped Irish Rail would follow suit with the provision of an enhanced customer service on the Ballybrophy rail line.
A notice of motion was passed in the names of the nine elected members of Nenagh Municipal District, who asked the council to seek an engineer's report on the line. “There has been 31 miles of continuous welded track laid over the past few years, which should have resulted in an increase in speed,” the local councillors stated in their joint motion.
“This hasn't happened. Increased speed is crucial to the development and marketing of the line.”
Cllr Fiona Bonfield told the meeting that the local authority would have to take the rail issue seriously. She said the Limerick-Ballybrophy line must be invested in; the present scheduling and train speeds are not attracting customers. Cllr Bonfield also called for people to think green in terms of transport options.
Cllr John Carroll also spoke of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. He said the rail line could be used for local people working in Limerick and students. He said a spur linking the train station with the uninversity campus would benefit a great proportion of the more than 20,000 students in attendance. Such a move would also alleviate traffic problems in the city, Cllr Carroll reasoned.
Cllr Coonan pointed out that the line also serves Roscrea and said it would be useful to people in his area commuting to Limerick if the timetabling was improved.
Cllr Ger Darcy agreed that Irish Rail needs to rethink the timetabling and he sought additional services between the train station and third level institutions in Limerick. It should also be possible to increase train speeds, Cllr Darcy added, saying the present speed of around 35mph is too slow.
The council undertook to send the notice of motion to Irish Rail for response.
The bus announcement was also welcomed by Fine Gael TD Kieran O'Donnell and Ballina Cllr Phyll Bugler, and by Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly.
Deputy Kelly said: “This is something I’ve pushed for in the past number of years so I’m delighted it has now been confirmed that it is coming. I’m absolutely thrilled for all my neighbours living in Portroe, Ballina and Newtown who will now have a great service with a comprehensive timetable.”