Seven new bus routes for Cavan-Monaghan

A total of seven new bus routes have been announced for Cavan and Monaghan.

These routes come as part of the National Transport Authority’s ‘Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan’, with the proposed routes to be operational by the end of this year.

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, launched in October 2021, identifies gaps in the public transport network in non-urban areas and proposes options to address these gaps.

A new 166A 171 Shercock to Dundalk via Carrickmacross is expected to have a service frequency of three return trips a day, and be up and running by the end of June.

A new Cavan to Dundalk route - serving Bailieborough, Kingscourt, Carrickmacross, Inniskeen and other places enroute - with a proposed minimum service frequency of two hours is also expected to be operational by the second quarter of the year.

The 108a from Bailieboro to Cootehill, and 108b from Cootehill to Shercock, Bailieboro and lastly Virginia will be in service by the third quarter of the year, with a proposed minimum service frequency of four return trips per day.

A 187 Cavan to the Meath Gaeltacht at Gibbstown, via Kells, and serving Oldcastle, Virginia, Ballyjamesduff, Kilnaleck and other places en route, will be in place by the end of September.

The proposed minimum service of this route is four return trips Monday to Friday, and three return trips on Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be a new A74 Clones to Newry bus run in place by the third quarter of the year serving Newbliss, Ballybay, Doohamlet, Castleblayney and other places enroute with a proposed minimum service frequency of three return trips a day.

Finally, a 572 Sligo to Cavan route has been announced, linking Riverstown, Drumshanbo, Ballinamore, Killeshandra and other places enroute, with a minimum service frequency of four return trips Monday to Saturday, and three return trips on Sunday. This service is expected to be operational by the end of September.

The seven new local routes are among 67 new bus services across the country announced by Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan.

Speaking at the launch in Tullamore he said the new routes are part of the Green Party’s strategy to dramatically improve public transport in rural Ireland.

Tate Donnelly, Green Party Representative for Cavan and Monaghan, welcomed the announcement.

“This announcement is great news. It will improve connectivity and make a big difference to people's lives across the region,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing these routes implemented across Cavan and Monaghan, and will continue to keep the pressure on to see further improvements over the coming months and years.”