NTA provides update on potential new town bus service for Tullamore
Fine Gael's Deputy John Clendennen has welcomed an update from the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the potential town bus service for Tullamore, with public consultation possible for the second half of 2027.
Following a series of parliamentary questions submitted by Deputy Clendennen to the Department of Transport and referred to the NTA, official responses outlined the national roadmap for town bus service expansions, and confirmed Tullamore's position among the key centres slated for service evaluation and public consultation.
According to the NTA, eleven town bus services currently operate across Ireland, with recent expansions including Mullingar in February 2026, Ennis (scheduled for launch in Autumn 2026), and Letterkenny (planned for late 2027).
In parallel with these nationwide rollouts, the NTA said it is actively planning the next phase of new and enhanced town bus services. Tullamore has been specifically identified alongside Dundalk, Naas, Newbridge, Tralee, and Wexford for assessment.
“Having engaged with the department and the NTA on this matter, I am very pleased to see Tullamore included in the planning pipeline for the next phase of the Transport For Ireland (TFI) town bus service programme,” said Deputy Clendennen.
“Tullamore is a growing centre that serves as a vital economic, educational, and healthcare hub for Offaly and the wider midlands region. Establishing a modern, integrated town bus service is essential to connect residential developments seamlessly with Tullamore train station, the Midlands Regional Hospital, key educational campuses, and major employment centres,” he added.
Addressing project timelines and delivery, the NTA confirmed that subject to the outcome of further feasibility work, including detailed assessments of passenger demand, a public consultation for a potential new Tullamore town bus service could be undertaken during the second half of 2027.
Subsequent service proposals and implementation will be targeted from 2028 onwards, dependent on resource allocation and funding availability, the NTA informed Deputy Clendennen.
“While we must take a realistic, structured, and phased approach to project delivery, this update provides a clear roadmap. My priority is to ensure that the feasibility work and passenger demand analysis accurately reflect our community's needs so that we can move decisively toward public consultation in late 2027,” Deputy Clendennen concluded.