Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, yesterday (Tuesday, 2 September) with Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA) launched the extension of the Independent Travel Support (ITS) service to Waterford.
Formerly known as the Travel Assistance Scheme, this service assists passengers aged 18 years and over with additional needs to develop skills to use the Transport for Ireland (TFI) public transport network independently.
Expansion of the Independent Travel Support Service to Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Galway and Limerick
The Independent Travel Support service has operated in Dublin since 2008, was extended to Bus Éireann services in Cork in 2022 and has since expanded to support passengers in the cities of Waterford, Galway and Limerick, with plans to expand further to Drogheda and Dundalk.
Official Launch in Waterford
Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have officially launched the extension of the Independent Travel Support service in Waterford.
How the ITS Service Works
The Independent Travel Support (ITS) service assists passengers over 18 with additional needs to use public transport with independence. As part of the service, an ITS assistant travels with the passenger and trains them how to travel independently, until they are confident to travel alone.
- The service is free of charge and
- open between the hours of 9am and 5pm,
- Monday to Friday,
- by calling Transport for Ireland on LoCall 0818 294 015
- or by emailing independent.travel@buseireann.ie .
In Dublin
In Dublin, ITS is managed by Dublin Bus on behalf of the NTA and operates across all TFI services operated by Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and DART in the Dublin area and has been in place since 2008.
In Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway
In Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway, ITS is managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the NTA and operates on TFI services operated by Iarnród Éireann, Cork Commuter services, Bus Éireann, Dublin Coach, City Direct and TFI Local Link.
Waterford Independent Travel Support service team and impact
The Waterford ITS service became operational in August 2024 following the recruitment of John Costello, who brought extensive experience from the accessibility community. John completed 166 assists in the first year alone.
Due to strong demand, Catherine Hennessy joined the team from the Irish Wheelchair Association, further expanding capacity.
Together, John and Catherine have delivered 261 assists to date, along with numerous meet-and-greet sessions and talks to local organisations.
Empowering people with independence, confidence and greater inclusion in their daily lives
Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “I am delighted to celebrate the launch of the Independent Travel Support service here in Waterford. This initiative is about more than transport – it is about empowering people with independence, confidence and greater inclusion in their daily lives. I want to commend Bus Éireann for their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity and thank the National Transport Authority for their vision in expanding this important programme. Together, they are making a real difference in people’s lives, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this service will bring to Waterford and beyond”
Stephen Kent, Chief Executive Officer, Bus Éireann, added: ” Bus Éireann is delighted to support the extension of the TFI Independent Travel Support service in Waterford. This initiative is transforming the way people with additional needs access public transport, helping them to develop the skills and confidence to travel independently. Since becoming operational in August 2024, the Waterford service has helped so many local people, demonstrating the real impact it is having on people’s daily lives – enabling them to meet friends, attend appointments, and participate fully in their communities.
We are proud to see the ITS service continue to grow from strength to strength across Ireland, building on its success in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and now Waterford”.
At NTA, we are dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of public transport across the TFI network
Naomi Rooney, Transport Accessibility Manager, National Transport Authority (NTA) stated: “The NTA are very proud to support the further expansion of the TFI Independent Travel Support service to Waterford. At the NTA, we are dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of public transport across the TFI network and significant money has already being invested in upgrading bus and rail station access, purchasing more accessible buses and coaches and upgrading bus stops. The expansion of the ITS service in Waterford City marks another significant step towards empowering all passengers to travel independently and with confidence.”
Further Information
For more information, please visit: https://www.buseireann.ie/independent-travel-support