A NEW State-funded ‘drink-link’ bus service to bring rural Irish residents to and from pubs is to be launched this summer.
The Irish Independent reports that there will be 50 routes on the new service, which will run between 6-11pm, mainly on weekends.
Counties Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Kildare, Waterford, Wexford, Cavan, Monaghan, Offaly and Laois will have their own routes, which will run from June until December.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross is expected to announce the new service this week.
It will be operated as an extension of the existing Local Link service.
The service will allow rural residents to visit the pub without having to use their car.
It is hoped it will alleviate the concerns of TDs in rural areas, who say stiffer drink-driving penalties are negatively impacting their constituents.
