The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
All aboard! Rural residents brought into heart of community by Local Link Kerry
“HE went to get a wife” someone pipes up from the back row as I interview the users of the Local Link Bus service in Cahersiveen.
For them this vital bus service has allowed them to get go and do their weekly shopping, meet friends for a chat and lunch, or even go further afield and visit relatives living in Dublin.
The banter between the passengers an added bonus, as they all meet up on a regular basis to go to either Killorglin or Cahersiveen and some-time onwards to Tralee or Killarney or wherever they choose to go.
On the bus they are all friends looking for a chat so Local Link Kerry not only meets the transport needs of passengers but also helps them make new friends.
This is clear to see as they all line up to praise the service and tell me how it helps their lives.
Cait O’ Shea from Portmagee can’t drive and she uses the bus to “shop and socialise”.
“It has made life very easy for me because I can’ drive. Before this service I wouldn’t be able to get to Cahersiveen or to Killorglin but we can also go further afield. I start on this service and go all the way to Dublin
“It helps me to get out and meet people. There is always something going on.”
“We have great fun on the bus so we do.”
It is a similar situation for Mary Casey from Castlecove, who is also unable to drive. She uses Local Link Kerry to come to come to Cahersiveen to do her shopping.
“I would be lost without it. I can’t drive so it is very good. I use the bus to come to Cahersiveen.”
Angela Kelly from Cahersiveen describes the service as ‘handy’ and says that it allows people to go to different places. She usually goes to Killorglin for the day.
“I don’t drive. It is a great opportunity for people to come in and out of the area. There was no service before this.
Angela says it is very good service for hospital appointments as well as the rural service links up with CIE buses to go to Tralee or Killarney.
John O’Leary from Caherdaniel doesn’t use the service regular but it is great to be able to avail of it.
“I don’t drive but it is great service to get away from the day.”
Vincent Curran from Portmagee says he doesn’t mind where the bus takes him.
“I use it every week. I don’t drive myself,” he says.
“It is a vital service that is badly needed or the area. It started last year and hopefully it will keep going.”
It also helps bring visitors to the area – one of these is Mary Byrne who comes from the US on holidays and uses Local Link to reach the front door of her holiday home.
Local Link Kerry has 150 services across Kerry, 27 of which 0perate in the Iveragh Peninsula accessing the towns and villages of the region including Ballinskelligs, Dromid, Caherdaniel, Castlecove and Valentia.
Some are weekly, others monthly. The buses come to Cahersiveen and Killorglin and allow users to access Bus Eireann services to other locations.
Full details of the Iveragh services are on www.locallinkkerry. ie or on Facebook.