The National Transport Authority (NTA) have confirmed they are progressing plans for a Mullingar Town bus service, subject to the allocation of funding for the scheme in 2025 by the Department of Transport.
In a letter from Anne Graham, the Chief Executive of the NTA, to local Fianna Fáil TD, Robert Troy, Mrs Graham said the NTA were continuing discussions with the Department of Transport for the funding and the implementation of the Mullingar Town Bus service.
The planned bus service will incorporate two routes. The first route would take in stops between Ballymahon Road and Lakepoint Retail Park on the Delvin Road. Route 2 would commence at Lough Sheever and end on Ballinderry Road. The services are planned to be operated by the Longford/Westmeath/Roscommon Local Link.
Deputy Troy welcomed the confirmation from the NTA that plans for the Mullingar town bus service are progressing.
In communication with Topic on Monday, 15 July, Deputy Troy said: “The town bus service is absolutely crucial for Mullingar’s continued development and an essential service for those living on the outskirts of town. It is imperative that the necessary funding is now put in place as soon as possible and that the plan is progressed in the interim.”
“Over the coming months, I will continue to pursue with the Minister for Transport to ensure this project receives the necessary support in 2025.”
A prominent bus service campaigner, Raimonda Masiulyte-Ramchurn expressed her hope that the news was true.
“We really need a bus service,” she said. “I see a lot of elderly people and young mothers with kids. It is difficult to get to places like the hospital or even if you wanted to go from one side of the town to the other.”
“You really have to rely on local taxi drivers, who are fantastic, but there are only so many drivers. You have to think about better infrastructure, especially when there are so many new people coming to live in town.”
