Calls for expansion of Kerry bus service following pilot that was a ‘huge success’

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has hailed Killarney’s new bus scheme as a “huge success” and has called for its extension to other catchment areas around the town.

Councillor John O’Donoghue requested that Killarney’s Anseo Bus Service be extended five kilometres further outside the town to incorporate the villages of Fossa and Kilcummin.

The pilot scheme began in August last year with three buses, aiming to improve access to essential services and alleviate traffic.

Rather than operating to a fixed route and schedule, the drivers use an algorithm to plan their route between requested pick off and drop off points, covering a designated zone around the town.

“This is not intended as a criticism of the scheme because it has been a huge success,” said Cllr O’Donoghue.

“My motion is asking that the range be extended to five kilometres because this will allow far more people to access the bus service and it will further enhance an already wonderful service.”

“The lack of public transport in our county is often mentioned, here we have a chance to alleviate that a little, if common sense can prevail over bureaucracy.”

The scheme currently services an area including Lackabane, Cleeny, Ballycasheen and Cahernane, operating from 6:30am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The service welcomed over 20,000 passengers after just four months, highlighting the popularity of the initiative and its increasing role in enhancing local connectivity.

Councillor Brendan Cronin seconded the motion, adding that boosting the bus service could help alleviate traffic in Killarney.

Villages further out, such as Fossa and Kilcummin, had ‘substantial populations’ he argued, and incorporation into the scheme would allow people to keep their cars at home.

“If you really and truly want to get cars off the road this is a huge asset,” he said.

Councillor Niall O’Callaghan praised the motion as a ‘great idea’ but warned that a extending the scheme would require more buses and thus a new contract.

He suggested that even just extending the pilot to Two Mile Community National School would allow for the bus to be used as a park and ride.

“I don’t know if they’ll do it but it’s worth a try,” he said.

The one-year pilot programme is operated by TFI Local Link Kerry and was introduced to tackle the dearth of public transport in the county.

TFI Anseo also operates on Achill Island and Curraun Peninsula, as well as north-east Limerick City.