Mr. Robert O'Mahony:

The Deputy mentioned the fact that we were working on a proposal for services to and from Carraroe and referred to moving to an early frequency. The proposal being worked on would see a bus service approximately every 30 minutes at morning and evening peak times and then at a core frequency of every two hours throughout the day. The service would extend into late evening such that there could be a bus services at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.. That would meet the requirements of those who want to go to and from work, to college if they have late lectures, or to socialise in Galway. That is our initial plan for services to and from Carraroe.

When we make a change on a route, we review demand and the response from the public. Almost exclusively, based on changes we have made in the past two years, the frequency will increase further. An example would be route 458 from Ballina to Sligo to Enniskillen. We increased the frequency of the service to every three hours and are now considering increasing it to every two hours. Again, it is in reaction to demand.

There were two other comments on changes to networks. Route 115 was mentioned by Deputy Peter Burke. We are finalising that proposal and hope to introduce the new timetable in the first week of September, the week after the papal visit. That is the current plan.

With regard to route 336, from Kilkee to Ennis, and route 333, from Doonbeg to Ennis, we are completely revising the network. It will be based on enhancing connectivity between Kilkee and Ennis and also linking Doonbeg with Kilkee. A bus service will start in Doonbeg and travel to Kilkee and then to Ennis via Kilrush. One will also be able to catch a bus in Kilkee, travel to Doonbeg and on to Ennistymon. There are two routes, with a circular bus route in each direction. We are considering increasing the frequency to approximately seven services per day on the main line between Kilkee and Ennis. It will start early in the morning, with the first bus service at 6.05 a.m., approximately, which will connect with the first train service from Ennis to Dublin. There will also be a later bus service at night at 9 p.m. from Ennis. There will be a bus service at 7 p.m. that will feed from the last train service from Dublin to Ennis. One of the requirements on which we receive a great deal of feedback was to be able to move from west Clare to Dublin, to do whatever business one had to do in the capital and to get back on the one day. There will also be an increase in the number of services on a Saturday, a Sunday and public holidays.

On the vehicles to be used, the service will be rolled out initially with standard coaches, but part of the new fleet is to be allocated to this network. Therefore, from early 2019, the service will be operated with fully low floor accessible vehicles.