Further transport boost for East Cavan welcomed

New Local Link bus to connect Cootehill – Shercock – Bailieborough – Virginia and Cavan Town.

News of a further Local Link bus route- the 108B- connecting Cootehill to Shercock, before going onto Bailieborough and Virginia has been welcomed locally.

The new service is expected to be added to the East Cavan network in the coming weeks.

"Once in Virginia it will meet the 109x Bus Eireann service where passengers can transfer to go to Cavan Town,” explained Fianna Fáil Deputy Niamh Smyth.

Deputy Smyth said she had made representations to the National Transport Authority for them to include more stops on this route s"o we can serve more of this hinterland. I have asked specifically that Killinkere be added and await a response on this matter.”

This new route is a further investment in the rural public transport network and follows on from the introduction of the Local Link route 171 in July 2023 and the new Regional 170 bus route in August.

Route 171 is now in operation between Shercock and Dundalk, via Carrickmacross and Inishkeen.

Route 170 is operating between Dundalk and Cavan, via Carrickmacross, Kingscourt and Bailieborough but will not operate via Inishkeen or Shercock.

Deputy Smyth concluded: “We have been starved of public transport for so long and these three new routes will improve the quality and efficiency of so many people lives who have been in touch with my office on this issue. In one case, a pensioner contacted me about a taxi costing €60 to get her to her local GP in an neighbouring town. These bus routes will assist her greatly and she can avail of free travel.”