Plans to drop three regional bus routes 'deeply concerning'

There is growing concern over the future of rural bus routes.

Plans by Bus Éireann to cease operating the Waterford to Dublin Airport route, among others, due to financial losses have been criticised by the National Transport Authority and local TDs.

Last month, the national bus operator announced that it plans to discontinue three of its Expressway services from Sunday, May 24. The services that were selected to be withdrawn include Waterford-Dublin/Dublin Airport (Route 4), Rosslare/Wexford-Waterford (Route 40 Segment), and Ballina-Galway (Route 52).

The NTA has said that ending the route would leave a “significant gap” in public transport services.

The authority believes the move by Bus Éireann will reduce connectivity along the corridor and fail to meet national transport standards, with no partial service retained.

The report highlights that several towns along the R448 corridor will be directly affected. These include Mullinavat, Ballyhale, Thomastown, Gowran, and Leighlinbridge, all of which rely on the route for regular connectivity.

Route 4, the Waterford to Dublin Airport, serves Waterford, Mullinavat, Ballyhale, Thomastown, Gowran, Leighlinbridge, Carlow Town, Dublin City, and Dublin Airport.

Bus Éireann cited “significant” financial losses as the reason behind this decision.

The withdrawal of the service has been met with huge opposition in rural communities across Waterford, Kilkenny, and Carlow, with public meetings held and calls made for the NTA to investigate implementing a public service levy (PSO) to protect the service.

A PSO introduced by the NTA is an arrangement by which the authority procures the service of a bus operator through a tendering process. The winning bidder is then required to operate a specified bus service for a set period in return for a subsidy from the NTA.

Peter 'Chap' Cleere.

“This is a hugely positive and long-overdue development for rural Ireland,” said Carlow Kilkenny TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere.

“Reliable and accessible public transport is not a luxury — it is a necessity. This recommendation by the NTA acknowledges that reality, and delivers a meaningful solution for communities that have been underserved for far too long."

He said the route “isn’t just a bus line — it’s a vital link for workers, students, and families who rely on affordable, reliable public transport every day".

“At a time when people are already under pressure from rising costs, removing daily services and cutting off key stops in our towns and villages is deeply concerning,” he added. 

The findings come after Waterford City and County Council unanimously passed a motion calling for the route to be retained or replaced.