THE Local Link bus service in Donegal has seen the numbers using their services jump by 75 per cent last month year on year.
Growing student numbers accessing the ATU have swelled passenger numbers but also more than 3,000 people used their door to door service last month to combat rural isolation.
Fidelma Doherty is Operations Manager with Local Link covering Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, a vital transport link for people of all ages for the past ten years.
Speaking to the Donegal News from her office in Killybegs this week she said that all of their services bar one, were seeing higher numbers travelling.
The service is run on behalf of the National Transport Authority. It operates two different but popular models – Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) which operates from the passengers’ front door and returns them there.
There are 27 routes operated on the Regular Rural Services(RRS) which are commuter type services which have scheduled fixed timetables and designated bus stops. For ease of access for all 95 per cent of the buses used are wheelchair accessible.
A number of routes have buses with low floors providing ease of access for those with poor mobility and those with buggies.
“The DRT services are typically one or two days per week and the majority of users are older people who have the free travel pass. These services ensure our older citizens can access services in their nearby towns on a weekly basis – this may be to collect their pension, weekly shopping, hairdressers or simply meeting their friends for a cup of coffee in the local café.
“Of all our services, the DRT’s are probably the most important as they act as a social outlet for many older people who may not see anyone from one end of the week to the next. These services are booked in advance by calling the office the day before travel. This ensures the bus can call to the passengers’ homes for collection. Many of our regular customers would only ring to say they are not travelling. If there has been an absence in hearing from a client our drivers will always check everything is OK. If a client does not want to travel the driver will happily bring whatever they need.
“Mary our receptionist is like a good morning service and chats to clients. In some cases it is the only contact they have with the outside world,” Fidelma explained.
The Local Link fares are affordable and range between €4 and €12.50 for an adult return trip depending on the route. Students travel from €2 to €6 return. Children under five travel free.
There are reductions available for seven day tickets.
The TFI Go App is available on the RRS services where commuters can avail of reduced fares.
In 2023 the Leap Card will be available. All of the services accept the Free Travel Pass.
Increases
Fidelma said they have seen a steady increase in passenger numbers throughout this year.
“These are attributed to the sharp increase in fuel prices since January 2022, the influx of Ukrainian refugees to Donegal since April this year, the 20 per cent reduction of public transport fares since April, the student accommodation crisis in September, LYIT changing to ATU, the focus on a Green Agenda and Brexit.
“All services (bar one) have increased in numbers with additional capacity required on several routes – this resulted in larger vehicles being sourced, additional buses added, new routes and additional legs to existing routes. All of our transport is from local providers.
“We have seen passenger numbers decrease on one of our routes – Finn Valley to Derry, a route predominantly popular with students attending colleges in Derry. This decrease could be down to either less students attending colleges in the North due to the uncertainty of Brexit or students may have more access to chosen courses now nearer to home at the ATU in Letterkenny,” she said.
Last month the number of RRS passenger trips in the county was 39,228 in comparison with the same month last year when there were 22,423 passenger trips – a 75 per cent increase.
Last month the DRT service here saw 3,412 passenger trips from door-to-door.
tourism
Local Link also boosts tourist numbers visiting the county. In the summer months, they transport a large number of tourists on their daily routes servicing the main tourist attractions in the county – Glenveagh National Park, Errigal, Fanad Lighthouse, Malin Head, Sliabh Liag and Rossnowlagh to name but a few.
Fidelma and Local Link’s voluntary board see the service as a vital link for rural communities.
“Our services are also vital to rural communities enabling students and workers to study/work in the county and to return to their homes and local areas every evening. This contributes to the viability and sustainability of communities,” she added.
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