Mr. Hugh Creegan:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and members for the invitation to appear before the committee today. I understand the committee wishes to discuss rural bus transport. To assist me in dealing with questions that may arise during the session, I am joined by Jeremy Ryan, director of public transport services, and Conor O'Donovan, senior transport planner.

As I informed the committee at a previous meeting, public transport use continues to grow at exceptional levels. Overall, passenger numbers on State-provided bus and rail services in 2024 were 32 million higher compared with 2023, an increase of 10.6%. That increase included rural transport, where the total number of passenger journeys on all TFI Local Link services in 2024 was 5.8 million, a 33% increase on the corresponding 2023 figure.

As the committee will be aware, the NTA developed and is implementing the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, the key objective of which is to increase transport connectivity for people living in rural Ireland. During 2024, a total of 45 new or enhanced bus routes were introduced under the Connecting Ireland programme. The implementation of further new and improved services is continuing this year.

In relation to town services, substantial progress has been achieved over the last few years. Town bus services have been introduced in Kilkenny, Carlow, Clonmel and Portlaoise, with services in Mullingar and Ennis to commence in the early months of next year, and services in Letterkenny planned to follow subsequently. A fully electrified and enhanced bus service is now in place in Athlone and bus network enlargements and enhancements have been implemented in Sligo, Navan, Dundalk and Drogheda.

The NTA recently launched a smart demand responsive transport service in three locations under the brand of TFI Anseo. The first pilot was launched in Achill in July, followed by Killarney in August. On Monday last, the service was implemented in the Rheobogue, Mill Road and Park area of Limerick city. Unlike traditional bus services, TFI Anseo does not follow a fixed route. Instead, it travels wherever passengers need to go within the service area, developing a bespoke route in each case depending on the journey requests received by the app. We are running these pilots for one year to glean information on the service usefulness, cost and any issues arising in operation. Initial feedback so far has been very positive.

This concludes my opening remarks. I welcome any questions that members may have.