Public transport is an essential service for many people in rural Ireland, especially those who do not have access to a car or other means of transport. However, there are some misconceptions about public transport that may discourage people from using it or supporting it. In this post, we will bust some of these myths and show you why TFI Local Link is a great option for your local travel needs.
Myth 1: Public transport is expensive
Some people may think that public transport is too costly and that driving is cheaper. However, this is not true when you consider the full cost of owning and operating a car, such as fuel, maintenance, insurance, tax, and depreciation. According to the AA, the average cost of running a car in Ireland in 2020 was €10,590 per year. That is equivalent to €29 per day or €1.21 per kilometre.
On the other hand, TFI Local Link offers low-cost and affordable bus services in rural areas, with low fares depending on the distance and the type of service. You can also pay with your TFI Leap Card or TFI Go App on eligible TFI Local Link services and enjoy discounts of up to 31% compared to cash fares. Moreover, if you have a Free Travel Pass, you can use it on all TFI Local Link services without any charge.
Myth 2: Public transport is bad for the environment
Some people may think that public transport is not eco-friendly and that it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. However, this is not true when you compare the environmental impact of public transport with that of private cars. According to the EPA, transport accounted for 20% of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, and road transport was the main source of these emissions. The average car emits about 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre, while the average bus emits about 80 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometre. This means that if you travel by bus instead of car, you can reduce your carbon footprint by a third.
TFI Local Link is committed to reducing its environmental impact and to supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. TFI Local Link is investing in cleaner and greener buses, such as hybrid and electric vehicles, to lower its emissions and fuel consumption. TFI Local Link is also promoting sustainable travel behaviour, such as walking, cycling, and carpooling, to complement its bus services and to encourage people to leave their cars at home.
Myth 3: Public transport is not in demand
Some people may think that public transport is not popular or needed in rural areas and that most people prefer to drive. However, this is not true when you look at the statistics and the feedback from the users of TFI Local Link. According to the NTA, TFI Local Link carried over 2.3 million passengers in 2019, an increase of 19% from 2018. TFI Local Link also received a customer satisfaction rating of 98% in 2019, indicating a high level of satisfaction and loyalty among its users.
Myth 4: Building more and bigger roads will help reduce congestion
Road congestion costs the Irish economy millions a year and affects our quality of life and health. We cannot solve the problem of congestion by building more and bigger roads because of a phenomenon called ‘induced demand’. This means that the more road space we create, the more people drive on it. This ‘extra’ driving means that the expected benefits of a new road in terms of reduced travel time and emissions are often short-lived. Traffic volumes on alternative routes can also increase faster than anticipated due to induced demand, all of which means that the advantages of a new road can disappear very quickly. The only way to reduce congestion is to have fewer cars on the roads.
Myth 5: Public transport is only for Dublin
Public transport is available and accessible in all regions of Ireland, not just in the capital. TFI Local Link operates in 26 counties, covering over 1,000 routes and serving over 700,000 people.
TFI Local Link provides vital and valuable bus services for rural communities, connecting them to local towns and villages, as well as to other public transport networks. TFI Local Link caters to the diverse and changing needs of its users, such as commuters, students, tourists, older people, and people with disabilities. TFI Local Link offers two types of bus services: regular rural bus services and door-to-door bus services. The regular rural bus services operate on fixed routes and timetables, while the door-to-door bus services can divert to pick up and drop off passengers at their homes, if pre-booked.
I hope this post helps you to learn more about TFI Local Link and to dispel some of the myths about public transport in rural Ireland. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for reading and happy travelling! 😊