-       Camilla Kelly - Manager of Local Link Sligo Leitrim and Roscommon Transport Co-ordination Unit

The Cathaoirleach welcomed Camilla Kelly Manager of the Sligo Leitrim Roscommon Rural Transport Co also known as Local Link and based in Carrick on Shannon. Ms. Kelly thanked the Council for the opportunity to make a presentation on Local Ling, the rural transport service that was established under the remit of the National Transport Authority in January 2015.

·         Local Link provides a quality nationwide community based transport system in Rural Ireland which responds to Local need.

·         A voluntary board oversees the delivery of the service with community directors from the three respective counties, Roscommon RICC and Leitrim LDC, Waterways Ireland, Tourism Development and ETB.

·         There is a strategic focus to address transport deficits and facilitates people to make onward connections via National rail and Bus and a social inclusion focus.

·         In Roscommon, there are 15 weekly demand responsive house to house transport services enabling cross connectivity from isolated townlands to local villages and towns; 7 dedicated to active age and social day care centres; 7 national schools in Mid and North Roscommon providing connectivity to pre and after school services; Castlerea Round Town Daily bus service; hail & ride between Castlerea and Roscommon; Daily service Boyle to Roscommon and Arigna to Boyle.

·         Volunteer Community Car Scheme has five registered drivers in Athleague, Ballydangan, Roscommon, Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen. Local Link defray fuel costs. The scheme is for people in isolated circumstances with no access to a car and passengers agree and pay a voluntary contribution. In special circumstances a car is provided to UCHG with 50% contribution expected. 424 trips were supported in 2018.

·         The Boyle to Roscommon service facilitates access to Roscommon Hospital and clinic services and free travel pass is accepted on all Local Link Services.

·         Local link work collaboratively with key visitor attractions and waterways Ireland and Hidden Heartlands to promote tourism.

The members welcomed the presentation and addressed the following queries:

·         There is potential in South Roscommon for Local link as there is currently only one bus service in a fast growing area. There is a demand in the Monksland Curraghboy and Kiltoom area and Local Link should consider this area to develop a service. The Clonown service is under the auspices of Westmeath area.

·         The service in Castlerea is working well however it would be desirable to extend this from Ballintubber/Lisalway areas to Castlerea on a Friday.

·         What analysis has been carried out in other rural areas?

·         Is a Roscommon around town route feasible?

·         Does the social car scheme only facilitate medical appointments? Has there been a trial on facilitating rural pubs?

·         How are drivers recruited?

·         There was a commitment for a link from Ballinasloe to Athlone – what is the update?

·         Can Ballyfarnon and Cootehall be facilitated in the Arigna, Boyle to Carrick scheme.,?

·         Are there any plans for night time services?

Ms Kelly addressed questions as follows and encouraged the members to contact her directly with specific queries:

·         The numbers using Local link have increase from 15,000 passengers in 2015 to an estimated 130,000 in 2018.

·         Historically the Longford Westmeath Local link cover the South Roscommon area. A tender process is currently underwat=y and details of th provider for this area will be known in March/April

·         It would be desirable to have many more volunteers for the social car scheme but it is difficult to retain their services.

·         A pilot scheme was undertaken last winter regarding night services and its recommendations are awaited. The expectations vis a vis the resources may be hard to match.