New bus service in Roscrea

TFI Local Link Laois Offaly launches connection from Athlone

TFI Local Link Laois Offaly is launching a new bus service, which will improve connectivity between Athlone and Roscrea, from Monday, September 4.

This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.

Route 850 will operate six daily return services, seven days a week, creating a new connection from Athlone to Roscrea as well as offering four additional daily return trips on Sunday to Templemore and Thurles. The new route will provide improved connectivity to the TUS Athlone campuses as well as providing a peak-time service for commuters and improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services in Athlone and Roscrea. The route will also offer enhanced connectivity to villages and areas such as Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge, Belmont, Cloghan, Banagher, Birr, Crinkill and Shinrone.

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Laois Offaly Manager Frances Byrne said: “We are delighted to launch Route 850 Athlone to Roscrea and increase of our service provision in Offaly.

“This new timetable has been designed to facilitate passengers travelling between towns and villages, along the route, which enables greater connectivity and creates access for employment, education, training, recreation, social and health purposes.

“I would encourage passengers to make the most of our public transport system as it’s not only an environmentally friendly option, but also an inclusive and cheaper way to travel. Leap and TFI Go are accepted on this service along with the Free Travel Pass.

“The NTA is committed to the growth and development of local bus services in towns and townslands, which in this case, is a brand-new high frequency service linking key rural towns that will provide opportunities for people to get to where they need to go. In partnership with the NTA, we support the Government’s Sustainable Mobility Policy and believe this new service and enhancements to existing services in Laois Offaly complement this policy and it will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector.”