County Wexford is included in a new evening bus pilot scheme designed to connect communities and combat rural isolation, announced by Minister for Transport, Shane Ross.

This way to visitor attractions at Bannow.

Commenting, Fine Gael Minister for Wexford, Michael D’Arcy, said; “I am delighted that Wexford has been included in the pilot scheme for a new night bus service. The National Transport Authority has now agreed that a series of 50 routes in 19 counties will have extended evening/weekend runs in a pilot scheme to operate until December. The buses will typically be available on Friday and Saturday evenings, between 6 and 11pm.”
Minister D’Arcy said the weekly bus runs will bring people into their local towns and villages in the evening times, driving economic activity in those areas. We are very clear this is not just about the pub. The new bus service will facilitate people to gather for whatever activity they wish be it a local event, a regular card game, a trip to watch a match, or a visit to the cinema, restaurant or pub.
“Communities and local businesses in Rosslare Harbour, Wellingtonbridge, Saltmills, Hook, Bannow, Clongeen, Kilmuckridge and Courtown will be able to organise new activities and events to attract residents in the evening, now that they know those residents will have this evening bus service available to them.”
Speaking on Morning Ireland (RTE Radio 1), Minister for Transport, Shane Ross said the local link bus scheme is going to run from 6 pm to 11 pm in a pilot project across 50 routes in 19 counties, including Kildare, Kerry, Cork, Laois, Offaly, Donegal, Waterford, Wexford, Cavan, Monaghan. The pilot project will operate from July to December.
“It’s for communities to get together, go off and play bingo, if they want to go to the pub they can. It’s not all pub-orientated,” said Ross, who added; “Passengers on these buses will have to pay a “nominal charge”. Pensioners over 65 will receive it for free.” The Minister said that he will review the scheme in January of 2019 and expects some routes to be cut and others added.