Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the operation of the recently introduced Local Link route 862 between Cavan and Longford, which replaced the NTA route 975; if he will clarify why this service is restricted to designated stops-only, whereas previous services on the route operated on a hail-and-ride basis; if he will consider reinstating hail-and-ride; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54153/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in Counties Cavan and Longford. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to continue the roll-out of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

In light of the NTA responsibilities, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.