![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_local-link.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHopefully it will become the norm on buses around the country<\/p>\n
A Local Link bus in Galway(Image: Local Link Facebook)<\/p>\n
Bus services in Galway are set for a big change that has been long overdue.<\/p>\n
It has been announced that the NTA will roll out tap payments on TFI Local Links by the end of June 2026.<\/p>\n
Bus users will be able to pay with their cards instead of relying on cash all of the time or a Leap Card.<\/p>\n
It is something that bus and train services throughout the UK have had for quite some time.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in’s candidate in the upcoming Galway West bye-election<\/a>, Mark Lohan said: “This is welcome news that progress is being made on modernising the ticketing system on our bus services.<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently Ireland lags behind other countries and the only options to pay a bus fare is by Leap Card or cash.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only does this reduce accessibility of public transport , but it also causes delays while passengers are boarding that impact the timetable.<\/p>\n \u201cThe NTA must focus on continuing the roll-out of Next Generation Ticketing across all services, not just the Local Link. Currently it is projected to be rolled out in Dublin in 2028.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot have any delays with this important step in modernising the bus service.\u201d<\/p>\n In similar news, a town in Galway is set to welcome a brand new bus service after a crucial taxi service closed down.<\/p>\n A brand new TFI Local Link stop is set to be built in Ballinasloe<\/a>, which will be key for locals to access key medical service areas.<\/p>\n Ballinasloe Councillor Alan Harney confirmed that the National Transport Authority is committed to approving a TFI Local Link stop in Brackernagh.<\/p>\n This news comes after the much-loved Mighty Cabs, which has operated in the town for more than three decades, is set to close down on April 24.<\/p>\n The taxi service operated crucial routes to local health facilities, including Portiuncula Hospital and the social services day centre.<\/p>\n Its closure would have left an entire community without a travel option.<\/p>\n The owner of Mighty Cabs, Rory Daly, has revealed the reasons behind the closure, which include difficulty in recruiting qualified drivers and a high failure rate in the taxi driver test.<\/p>\n \u201cMy hand has been forced,\u201d Mr Daly said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo drive a taxi, a driver must hold a PSV licence, which requires passing a two-part NTA test. The first part covers industry knowledge, while the second focuses on area knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n The new bus stop will be installed in the coming months, while Cllr Carney also revealed talks are ongoing with other taxi providers across the country.<\/p>\n Join Galway Beo’s top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp.<\/p>\n