Local Link Waterford Cancels Services Due to Weather Warning

Local Link Waterford Services Disrupted by Status Orange Whether Warning

A Status Orange weather warning has gripped Ireland, unleashing treacherous travel conditions and causing widespread disruptions, including service cancellations on Local Link Waterford routes.

Service Cancellations on January 7th

On the evening of January 7th, 2025, Local Link Waterford announced several service cancellations due to the severe weather.Passengers were advised to check Facebook for the latest updates throughout the evening and into the following morning.

The following services were cancelled on the evening of January 7th:

• Route 667 Dungarvan to Waterford: The 8 pm service from Dungarvan and the 10 pm service from Waterford.
• Route 367 tramore to Dungarvan: The 7.30 pm service from Tramore and the 10 pm service from Dungarvan.
• Route 356 Dungarvan to Clonmel: The 8.15 pm service from Ballinroad and the 10.20 pm service from Clonmel.
• Route 357 Dungarvan to Youghal: The 9.30 pm service from Youghal and the 11 pm service from Dungarvan.

Local Link Waterford Adjusts Services Amid Status orange Weather Warning

As a Status Orange weather warning continues to impact Ireland, Transport for Ireland has been forced to make changes to its Local Link Waterford services to ensure passenger safety. We spoke wiht Sarah O’Connor, Operations Manager at Local Link Waterford, to understand the disruptions and what passengers can expect in the coming days.

Understanding the Impact of the Status Orange Warning

Q: Sarah, can you explain how the Status Orange warning has affected Local Link Waterford’s operations?

Sarah O’Connor: Absolutely.The Status orange warning has brought heavy rain and treacherous road conditions across the region. For the safety of our passengers and drivers, we made the difficult decision to cancel several evening services on January 7th.Routes like the 667 Dungarvan to Waterford, 367 Tramore to Dungarvan, and others were affected. We’re closely monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Service Cancellations and Adjustments

Q: Which specific services were cancelled, and how are you communicating these changes to passengers?

Sarah O’Connor: On January 7th, we cancelled key evening services, including the 8pm and 10pm routes between Dungarvan and waterford, and also services on Routes 356, 361, and 363. We’re committed to keeping our passengers informed. We communicate service updates through our website, Local Link’s website, as well as on our social media channels. We also work closely with local media outlets to ensure widespread dissemination of information.

service Updates for January 8th

Local Link Waterford is hopeful that services will resume as normal on Wednesday,january 8th,if conditions permit. Though, passengers should be aware of the following adjustments:

Route 364 Dungarvan to Fermoy: The first service on Wednesday will depart from Fermoy at 8.30am and from Dungarvan at 8.40am.

Route 363 Dungarvan to Tallow: The last bus from Tallow on Tuesday evening will depart at 7pm,while the last bus from Dungarvan will leave at 8.05pm. All other services on this route have been suspended for the day. On Wednesday, the first bus from Tallow will leave at 8am, and the first bus from Dungarvan will depart at 9.05am.

Passengers are encouraged to check Local Link Waterford’s website and social media for the latest updates before traveling. Stay safe and informed during this winter weather event.

Local Link Waterford Adapts to Challenging Weather Conditions

Recent heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused significant disruptions to transportation services across Ireland, including the Local Link Waterford bus network. As communities grapple with the aftermath of Storm Brendan, many are questioning how public transport is adapting to this new reality of increasingly severe weather events.

We spoke with Sarah O’Connor, Operations Manager for Local Link Waterford, who provided valuable insights into how the organization is addressing these challenges and prioritizing passenger safety.

Adjusting Schedules and Communicating with Passengers

Local Link Waterford has been closely monitoring the situation and making real-time adjustments to its schedules. As Sarah O’Connor explained, “Some routes have been temporarily suspended or altered due to hazardous road conditions. Such as, the 364 dungarvan to fermoy and 363 dungarvan to Tallow routes have adjusted schedules.”

To keep passengers informed, Local Link Waterford is leveraging the power of social media. “We’ve been using our Facebook page to keep passengers updated in real-time,” shared O’Connor. “Social media has been invaluable for sharing timely updates, especially during unpredictable weather events like this.”

Prioritizing Passenger Safety

Ensuring the safety of passengers is paramount for local Link Waterford. “Safety is our top priority,” emphasized O’Connor. “We’re in constant dialog with Met Éireann and local authorities to assess road conditions. Our drivers are trained to handle challenging weather, but we won’t take unnecessary risks. If a route is deemed unsafe, we’ll cancel or delay services.”

Passengers are also encouraged to play an active role in their safety. O’Connor advised, “We encourage passengers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and stay updated through our social media channels.”

Preparing for a Future of Extreme Weather

With climate change increasingly linked to more frequent and intense weather events, adapting to these challenges is crucial. “That’s a grate question and one we’re actively addressing,” stated O’Connor. “We’re investing in better weather monitoring tools and training for our staff to respond to emergencies. We’re also exploring ways to make our services more resilient, such as option routes and improved communication systems. It’s a reminder that we all need to

adapt to a changing climate,and public transport plays a crucial role in that adaptation.”

A Call to Action

Sarah O’Connor offered valuable advice for passengers navigating severe weather: “Stay

informed and plan ahead. Check weather updates and our service announcements before traveling. If conditions are poor, consider postponing non-essential trips. And for those who must travel, dress appropriately, allow extra time, and be patient. We’re all in this together, and a little preparation can go a long way in ensuring everyone’s safety.”

As communities adapt to the challenges posed by extreme weather, Local Link Waterford’s commitment to passenger safety and its proactive approach to building resilience offer a model for other public transport providers.

What steps do you take to prepare for severe weather disruptions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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how does Local link waterford communicate service changes to passengers during severe weather events?

Interview with Sarah O’Connor, Operations Manager at Local Link Waterford

Archyde News: Thank you for joining us today, Sarah. As the Operations Manager at Local Link Waterford, you’ve been at the forefront of managing the disruptions caused by the recent Status Orange weather warning. Can you start by explaining how this weather event has impacted your operations?

Sarah O’Connor: Thank you for having me. The Status Orange warning has brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and treacherous road conditions across the region. safety is our top priority, so we’ve had to make some challenging decisions, including cancelling several evening services on January 7th. Routes like the 667 Dungarvan to Waterford, 367 tramore to Dungarvan, and others where affected. We’re constantly monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Archyde News: Which specific services were cancelled, and how are you communicating these changes to passengers?

Sarah O’Connor: On January 7th, we cancelled key evening services, including the 8 pm and 10 pm routes between Dungarvan and Waterford, as well as services on Routes 356, 361, and 363. Interaction is critical during these times.we’ve been using our website, social media channels, and local media outlets to keep passengers informed in real-time. Our Facebook page, in particular, has been invaluable for sharing timely updates.

Archyde News: What adjustments have been made for January 8th, and what should passengers expect?

Sarah O’Connor: We’re hopeful that services will resume as normal on January 8th, but passengers should be aware of some adjustments. For example, Route 364 Dungarvan to Fermoy will have its first service departing Fermoy at 8:30 am and Dungarvan at 8:40 am. similarly, Route 363 Dungarvan to Tallow will see its first bus from Tallow at 8 am and from Dungarvan at 9:05 am. We encourage passengers to check our website and social media for the latest updates before traveling.

Archyde News: Safety is clearly a top priority for Local Link Waterford. Can you elaborate on how you ensure the safety of passengers and drivers during severe weather?

Sarah O’Connor: Absolutely. Safety is non-negotiable. We’re in constant dialog with Met Éireann and local authorities to assess road conditions. Our drivers are highly trained to handle challenging weather, but we won’t take unnecessary risks. If a route is deemed unsafe, we’ll cancel or delay services. We also encourage passengers to play an active role in their safety by planning ahead, allowing extra travel time, and staying updated through our communication channels.

Archyde news: With climate change leading to more frequent and intense weather events, how is Local Link Waterford preparing for the future?

sarah O’Connor: That’s a grate question and one we’re actively addressing. We’re investing in better weather monitoring tools and training for our staff to respond to emergencies. We’re also exploring ways to make our services more resilient, such as alternative routes and improved communication systems. Public transport plays a crucial role in adapting to a changing climate, and we’re committed to ensuring our services remain reliable and safe for our passengers.

Archyde News: What advice would you give to passengers navigating severe weather conditions?

Sarah O’Connor: My advice is simple: stay informed and plan ahead. Check weather updates and our service announcements before traveling. If conditions are severe, consider whether your journey is essential.We’re here to support our passengers, but safety must always come first.

archyde News: Thank you, Sarah, for your insights and for the work you and your team are doing to keep passengers safe during these challenging times.

Sarah O’Connor: Thank you. It’s a team effort, and we’re grateful for the understanding and cooperation of our passengers as we navigate these disruptions together.

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This interview highlights the challenges faced by Local Link Waterford during severe weather events and underscores the institution’s commitment to safety, communication, and resilience in the face of climate change.