So, if it is going to local towns or villages, going shopping or simply catching up with a friend for a coffee and a chat, then these 20 services are for you, and at a cost of €2 single fare and €4 return fare, or if you are a holder of a Free Travel Pass, you can travel for free. Either way, you will not travel cheaper than that! This ‘door-to-door’ pickup service is available to all age groups. Timetables have been distributed in an effort to encourage people to avail of the service, as there are still some empty spaces on the buses.

Seamus Lee, LCRL Rural Transport Co-ordinator, said that “Longford Community Resources Ltd has contracted out the 20 routes to local transport providers (14 to 22 seater buses), who provide weekly services to local towns and villages throughout the county and cover: Granard, Abbeylara, Mullinalaghta, Aughnacliffe, Moyne, Drumlish, Ballinamuck, Ballinalee, Gowna, Arva, Mullahoran on the Cavan borders, Edgeworthstown, Ardagh, Legan, Ballymahon, Newtowncashel, Lanesboro, Kenagh, Killashee and also to the main towns of Longford and Cavan. The Longford Cavan route also includes ‘link’ routes with Bus Eireann and private transport providers. There are spaces still available on all of the routes, so go on, use the services provided for the public and sit back and enjoy the view trouble free” - said Seamus.

LCRL has set up a new County Rural Transport Steering Group which is chaired by Sean Farrell. “We are looking at how additional transport services can be provided in rural areas" - said Sean - "but firstly we want to increase the usage on the 20 existing services so they are fully occupied and get across the fact that any age group can use them. The 20 routes provided by LCRL across the county are accessible to all ages and take the stress out of driving to the bigger towns and worrying about parking spaces and fees, traffic and the increase in fuel costs. The service provided is invaluable particularly with loss of employment, less social interaction, decline in post-office services and threatened closure of smaller Garda stations.

The 20 rural transport services provide an opportunity to save in a number of ways and make travelling into towns and villages easier for the users. At a time when petrol prices are so high and going to town now means paying car parking fees, too, or else taking a taxi which is much more expensive, why not enjoy a trouble free trip from your home, free from all those worries, to get out, walk around the towns and villages of County Longford, do your shopping or meet a friend for a cup of tea and a chat and just watch the world go by? And all for €2 single or €4 return! Using the weekly rural transport services means you are thinking of the environment, too, as there will be fewer vehicles on the road.

Timetables and posters have been printed and are available in local shops, community halls, post offices, local schools and on www.longford.ie website or here. Check the timetable to find the routes that are passing close to you and ring Seamus at 043-3345555 or the provider (nos listed on timetable) to book your seat.

The funding is provided by the Department of Transport under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and managed by Longford Community Resources Ltd.

For more information, please contact the Rural Transport Co-ordinator at Longford Community Resources Ltd at 043-3345555 or email at slee@lcrl.ie.

Bus timetable (English version)

Bus timetable (Russian version)

Bus timetable (Polish version)

Map of County Longford