The National Transport Authority (NTA) is today launching a new town bus service which will be transformative for Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
The service, which has three new routes CL1, CL2 and CL9 will begin operating from Monday 11th of December.
The CL1, which runs between Poppyfields and Crann Ard and CL2, which runs between Ard Gaoithe Business Park and Crann Ard will provide local people with a reliable and frequent bus service operating over 16 hours a day, Monday to Saturday, with a slightly shorter day on Sundays. CL9 will operate twice daily Monday to Sunday.
CL1 Buses on routes CL1 and CL2 from Poppyfield Retail Park and Ard Gaoithe Business Park will operate every 60 minutes, but will overlap between Queen Street and Crann Ard via O’ Connell Street forming a 30 minute frequency on the route.
This service will also improve connectivity to Tipperary University Hospital and will be a vital link for workers in the town centre, Poppyfield Retail Park and Ard Gaoithe Business Park.
Route CL9 provides an early morning and late evening service to facilitate onward travel to Kilkenny, Dublin City, the Airport and improved connectivity to the wider Transport for Ireland (TFI) network.
The Clonmel Town Bus Service will be managed by TFI Local Link Tipperary.
In conjunction with the Clonmel Town Service, an enhanced TFI Local Link Waterford service Route 356 is also being introduced. It will operate between Ballinroad, Dungarvan and Clonmel via Oldbridge to serve Marlfield and Slievenamon Road. The Glenconnor Road and Tesco Clonmel stops will no longer be served by this route and passengers for these stops are advised to change onto the new Clonmel Town Bus Service to complete their journey.
Route 356 will operate five return trips per day, Monday to Sunday and it will form part of the 90 minute fare structure between Marfield and Oldbridge for free interchange onto the Clonmel Town Bus service.
The TFI Leap Card and Free Travel Pass are accepted on-board all Clonmel Town Services and Route 356.
Speaking at the launch Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “The new Clonmel Town Bus Service is a welcomed development for local people and businesses in the area.
“The new routes are strategically planned to improve access for people in Clonmel and to make it easier for everyone to get around town for work, school and leisure.”
Anthony Moroney, General Manager of Local Link Tipperary said: “We are proud to partner with the NTA to launch Clonmel’s town bus service.
The number of bus services and the routes around town will give so many people the option to use a frequent and reliable public transport service to get to and from work, school and leisure activities locally. This service will enhance the lives of the population of Clonmel and allow some to reclaim their independence.”
The Clonmel Town Bus Service follows the launch of a similar service in Carlow earlier this year and an enhanced service in Navan in 2020.
Passenger numbers using the service in Carlow have increased significantly with over 10,000 passengers each week using the town service since it launched. There is a similar success story in Navan with the service carrying over 178,000 passengers in its first six months of operation.
For more information on the Clonmel Town Service check out : https://www.transportforireland.ie/plan-a-journey/network-maps/clonmel-town-services/