More than half of all journeys were in Cork.
Bus Eireann's independent travel support service has completed almost 3,000 assisted journeys throughout the country.
More than half of these are in Cork as the programme expands nationwide.
Assisted journeys directly support almost 300 individual service users with the positive impact extending far wider to families , friends and communities.
The ITS service offers free one to one guidance for anyone who feels unsure about travelling alone ranging from young people leaving school to older adults and people with disabilities.
Service Milestones to Date
To date, more than 1,700 assisted journeys have been delivered in Cork alone. Following its initial success in Cork, the ITS Service has expanded into Limerick, Waterford, and Galway, with a dedicated team of nine members.
Across the four counties, Bus Éireann has held more than 250 meet-and-greet sessions and 132 information talks – over half of which have taken place in Cork.
Such has been its success, that Bus Éireann is currently recruiting new teams in Dundalk and Drogheda, as they extend the reach of the programme to even more communities.
Local Impact & Community Engagement
Highlights of the service so far have included safety training and Q&A sessions at local Cork schools such as Scoil Bernadette in Montenotte, introducing students to road safety, giving them a taster session of what to expect on the ITS service and demonstrating the value of safe, independent travel.
Teams in Cork and Waterford have also taken part in School Leaver Mixer events, raising awareness among young people and accessibility groups, thereby helping them prepare for life beyond school.
Hands-on partnerships, with organisations such as the Irish Guide Dogs, for the Blind, ensure that both passengers and Bus Éireann staff benefit and build confidence.
Wheelchair Assessment Day
A standout initiative has been the Wheelchair User Taster Sessions, offering safe, private spaces to practice boarding and exiting buses. These sessions have already transformed lives – with participants like Paul, who secured a more suitable wheelchair and now travels independently, and Izabella, who took her first-ever bus journey thanks to the programme.
Building on this, Bus Éireann recently hosted over 20 wheelchair users in Cork for a Wheelchair Assessment Day. The event allowed participants to test accessibility features, giving them an opportunity to build confidence and trust with Bus Éireann services. It also highlighted the growing demand for such initiatives and reinforced the ITS mission of removing barriers to independence.
Christian Clarke, Accessibility Manager at Bus Éireann, said: “We are proud to have completed nearly 3,000 assisted journeys through the Independent Travel Support Service, directly supporting almost 300 people so far. But the real impact is far greater – extending to their families, friends, and communities.
“The programme is about much more than transport – it’s about skills, confidence, and independence. Seeing the ripple effect of this support, especially for young people and those new to independent travel, is hugely rewarding. We are excited to continue expanding the service across Ireland so even more people can benefit.”
