Almost 70 new bus routes for rural Ireland announced

Macroom and Newmarket to Cork, Mallow to Fermoy to Lismore, Skibbereen to Killarney, and Youghal to Dungarvan in Munster were earmarked as part of the 67-route national package. Picture: Naoise Culhane 

Nearly 70 new and improved bus routes to serve rural areas have been announced, just as the appetite for public transport is picking up significantly, new data shows.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said evidence has emerged that young people in particular are turning more to public transport, as Macroom and Newmarket to Cork, Mallow to Fermoy to Lismore, Skibbereen to Killarney, and Youghal to Dungarvan in Munster were earmarked as part of the 67-route national package.