The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann have significantly enhanced services and timetables on Route 343, Limerick to Shannon along with three other new or enhanced routes along the Limerick-Shannon-Ennis corridor, which will come into effect on Sunday, 25 August.
The enhanced Route 343, Limerick to Shannon, is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the NTA as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network and will see the first 24-hour 7 day a week operation in the region between Limerick and Shannon.
The enhancements will benefit passengers in the region travelling for leisure, work and education as well as those making onward connections with bus and rail connections.
Route 343 will now provide a 24 hour service from Limerick to Shannon offering increased frequency throughout the daily timetable, operating every 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off peak hours on weekdays, as well as offering a doubling of the weekend service.
The new improved service will offer an hourly service between midnight and 4am. The service will provide greater connectivity for passengers travelling to Shannon Airport as well as connections with Colbert Station, TUS and intercity services.
Passengers travelling onwards to Ennis and Newmarket-on-Fergus from Limerick can now interchange with the enhanced Route 330, Shannon Airport to Ennis. This service will now operate a daily hourly service from 5am to midnight, providing passengers with links to Shannon Airport, interchange with the 343 service and rail services.
The Connecting Ireland enhancements also include new and improved routes; Route 316, Sixmilebridge to Shannon and Route 317, Limerick to Ennis via Sixmilebridge and Quin. These new and improved routes are a collaboration between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport, supported by the NTA and Bus Éireann, and will pilot and introduce greater integration of transport networks with school transport routes.
The NTA and Bus Éireann said they are committed to the provision of a fully accessible public transport system incorporating fully accessible vehicles and infrastructure, all of the timetabled new services will be served by fully accessible vehicles.
“Bus Éireann is delighted to introduce these improved services between Limerick, Shannon and Ennis, significantly increasing transport options for passengers, adding over 1 million kilometres to the network as well as creating 31 new jobs in the region,” said Stephen Kent, CEO.
“These new services are the result of a strong collaboration between the NTA, the Department of Education, Department of Transport with Bus Éireann to enhance connectivity across the country, delivering an affordable, reliable and sustainable bus service for communities throughout Ireland, helping to make life better.”
“Earlier this year we commenced a public consultation on our plans to significantly enhance bus services on the Limerick to Clare corridor. Following that process our plans aim to make it easier to access Shannon Airport, with a new 24hr bus service operating between the Airport, Shannon Town and Limerick. The revised network will operate at a higher frequency which will benefit communities across the region who want to use public transport to get to work, school or attend leisure activities in the area,” said Anne Graham, CEO of NTA.
Welcoming the news, Niall Kearns, Airport Director at The Shannon Airport Group said: “We’re on track to reach 2 million passengers at Shannon Airport for the first time since 2009, so the additional frequency on Bus Éireann’s 343 service is great news. As more people choose Shannon, this new 24-hour service ensures convenient access to the airport, day or night. With 33 destinations across Europe, the UK, and the US, the increased bus service will also enhance connectivity for inbound tourists exploring the Wild Atlantic Way and improve transport for business travellers.”
Seán Golden, Director of Policy, Limerick Chamber of Commerce said: “The increased frequency and enhanced connectivity that these Bus Éireann services offer will be of huge benefit to Limerick and the entire region. We know all too well that expanding public transport routes will further enable economic growth but also enhance liveability of the region and be of great advantage to those travelling for leisure, work and education. Further linking Limerick with Shannon Industrial Estate and Shannon Airport through enhanced services will be a huge win for employees and businesses across the entire region.
