Ennis bus service ‘a priority’ for National Transport Authority

THE provision of an Ennis town bus service “is a priority” for the National Transport Authority (NTA), with route selection currently being finalised.

An update on the progress of plans on the long awaited bus service for the county capital were outlined at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy had sought the details, saying, “we need to have a local bus service for Ennis”.

Leonore O’Neill, Senior Executive Officer, responded, “The Ennis Municipal District are in ongoing communication with the NTA Public Transport Service Planning Team who are responsible for the planning and design of the Town Bus Service in Ennis.

The NTA are currently finalising route selection. Implementation is dependent on budgets being available to support the operational cost of providing the service.”

Director of service Carmel Kirby told the meeting that discussions with the NTA are “at an advanced stage” with routes being finalised throughout the town. “The Ennis town bus service is a priority for the NTA,” she said.

Councillor Pat Daly commented he was “delighted to hear that it’s a priority”.

Outlining the benefits of the planned new bus service he pointed out there are many housing estates built up to four kilometres outside of the town centre. He added that park and ride facilities would be a good addition to the town.