Local Link: a lifeline to rural Ireland

For many years, Anne and Marky Sinnott provided their bus services for private hire and for local school journeys, but in 2004 they decided to participate in the rural bus scheme.

Nearly 13 years later, Anne and Marky still operate under Local Link Wexford and provide four primary services and five connecting services to local towns and cities six days a week to meet the needs of rural Wexford. For Local Link Wexford, the buses provide approximately 350 services a week in order to meet transport requirements and improve overall accessibility for those living in isolated areas.

According to Local Link Wexford manager, Mary B O’Leary, their aim is to enhance accessibility for those who are at risk of social exclusion and also provide an invaluable service to those with mobility restrictions. Nationwide demand for rural bus services has significantly increased in recent years. In 2015, over 1.7 million people living in rural Ireland availed of a daily bus services to local towns and cities. Services are in constant demand, especially by the elderly and students, and oftentimes can be oversubscribed. But the rural bus is so much more than a transport service. Everyone knows everyone’s names and the drivers are always there to lend a helping hand to those in need of assistance, while passengers share stories, debate current affairs or sing along to the radio.

Personal stories

The people using the Wexford Local Link bus were only too happy to share their stories with Irish Country Living, with many describing the service as a “lifeline”.

“There is always great fun and laughter. We are like a big family, we look out for each other and we help each other in whatever way we can,” says Marian Donoghue, who explains that the bus was especially important when she moved to rural Ireland from Dublin. “It gave me an opportunity to meet new people and make friends.”

“Only for the rural bus, I would be lost,” admits fellow passenger Olive Quirke. “I don’t drive, the rural bus is my only means of transport and it’s an essential service for me and my family.”

For Rose Salter, it’s a “lifesaver”.

“It allows me to do my shopping and visit my family,” she says. “I don’t drive so without the rural bus I would be confined to my home in rural Wexford.”

“The bus is a lifeline for us,” say husband and wife Tom (84) and Tessie (79) Dunphy, who have been using the service for 10 years. “For us it’s about the social side, having a laugh and meeting new people” says Tessie.

“If the rural bus wasn’t here, we would be stuck indoors from one end of the week to the other,” admits Tom.

Helping Students

Anne and Marky Sinnott’s bus company is just one of 400 private bus companies contracted to provide Local Link services nationwide. While a lifeline for the elderly, there are many other people who benefit.

Local Link companies have been providing bus services to rural students who are attending universities/colleges in cities. This service is a huge help to those who may not be able to afford the exorbitant city rents associated with attending college. Recently there has been a huge demand for this service as a direct result of the shortage of rental accommodation, particularly in Cork and Dublin.

Important For All

The importance of the scheme for all in rural Ireland cannot be underestimated, according to Camilla Kelly, Local Link manager for Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim.

“The reform of the Rural Transport Programme in 2014 to the Local Link network was critical, and meant that rural transport is now regarded under legislation as an essential daily transport service which can benefit from the funds provided by the National Transport Authority,” she says.

“The transport service is fundamental to rural Ireland, particularly to two of the most rural counties, Leitrim and Roscommon. The service caters and is relied upon by all members of rural Ireland, including the unemployed, families, single parents and the sick.”

Cancer Connect

This is certainly the case with the Cancer Connect service in Cork, which helps transport cancer patients in rural areas for treatment to Cork hospitals. Offered by Cork Local Link, this service is manned by 220 dedicated volunteers and some use their own cars to help patients attend their hospital appointments. There is huge demand and last year over 14,000 journeys were made, transporting over 2,280 patient from rural Cork.

Coordinator Helen O’Driscoll says: “The Cancer Connect initiative is underpinned by the support of its volunteers and community involvement. All funds are raised through community events, which are organised by the people of Cork.”

One such volunteer is sheep farmer Jerry O’Donoghue, who has been involved for the last five years.

“It’s a tremendous service which helps so many sick people in Cork. Since all my three kids are raised, I decided to help out, too,” says Jerry. “I volunteer twice a month, starting out at dawn and finishing at dusk. It’s a commitment alright but I enjoy the social side and meeting new people – plus it gives my wife some peace and quiet for the day while I’m out travelling around rural Cork,” he laughs. Since Jerry started, many of his neighbours and farming friends have got involved too. “I hope to continue volunteering in the future and I strongly believe I’m helping myself by helping others.”

The Future

National Transport Authority (NTA) CEO, Anne Graham, tells Irish Country Living: “Public transport is one of the most important ways to strengthen the connections in rural Ireland. We are working hard at implementing the new Local Link services and we will be adding new routes in the future.”

An official from the NTA said €13.7m was provided for the Rural Transport Programme in 2016 and an additional 40 Local Link routes will be launched this year. CL