Several rural routes are included in enhanced Bus Éireann services to be rolled out in the coming weeks, in what is the largest single enhancement in Bus Éireann services in more than 15 years.

Some of the enhanced services are within cities and towns, while others link rural towns and villages with larger urban areas.

Included among these is Portroe, Co. Tipperary, which will have a daily bus service to Limerick and Nenagh for the first time, as part of an increased Route 323 linking Nenagh and Limerick.

In Co. Clare, weekend services will be introduced on the Scariff-Limerick routes for the first time, and there will be increased frequency between Ennis and the west of the county. The towns of Kilkee, Doonbeg and Lahinch will be linked for the first time.

Also in Clare, for the first time people in the west of the county will be able to travel to Dublin in a single day using public transport, with service enhancements on the West Clare Network that will connect with Ennis railway station.

Improvements have already been rolled out in counties Louth, Kerry and Mayo, including the first year-round connection between Clifden and Westport; and linking Baltray, Clogher and Termonfeckin directly to Dundalk for the first time.

Urban areas that will see enhanced services and/or increased frequency on internal services include Navan, Co. Meath; Drogheda, Co. Louth; and Limerick and Cork cities.

The enhancement of Bus Éireann services is funded by the National Transport Authority through the Government’s July Stimulus package.

As part of the upgrade, 120 new driver positions will be created, the recruitment for which has already started.

“This is the largest single investment by government in Bus Éireann services in more than 15 years. These new and improved services will mean that public transport will be a viable option for more people outside Dublin than ever before,” said Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan.

“By providing more choice and frequency we will connect more communities and encourage the switch from cars, while also reducing traffic, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” the minister added.