Important information for Kilkenny students and commuters as new bus service to be introduced

A new auxiliary morning service on the KK2 westbound route in Kilkenny City is to be introduced to accommodate anticipated growing demand from secondary school students.

This enhanced service will be in place ahead of the new school term, offering improved capacity and connectivity for students travelling to Loreto, St Canice’s, and the newly-relocated CBS. It follows an announcement by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

From the start of term, two buses will now operate the 8am KK2 westbound service, effectively doubling capacity on this key route. The new service will also enable passenger transfers from the Loughboy Area on KK1 at Dean Street, enabling onward travel to Granges Road and St Luke’s Hospital.

This auxiliary service will operate as a pilot and will be monitored closely by the NTA, with a focus on student travel patterns during morning and afternoon school peaks. Adjustments may be made based on demand to ensure capacity needs continue to be met.
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Both KK1 and KK2 services are fully integrated with the TFI Live App, which provides real-time journey planning and supports cashless payments via the Leap Card system. Leap Cards are available at post offices and selected retailers in Kilkenny City. Further information on the City Bus service is available on the TFI website.

Tim Butler, Director of Services with Kilkenny County Council, has welcomed the move: “This additional KK2 service is a very positive step in supporting the transport needs of Kilkenny students, particularly with the relocation of CBS," he said.

"It reflects the collaboration between the NTA and Kilkenny County Council in addressing local demand and ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible public transport for our school communities. We would encourage as many families as possible to use the bus service and avail of the discounted rates with the Leap card.”

Bus Éireann continues to operate the School Transport Scheme in Kilkenny City, transporting approximately 1,600 post-primary students across 22 routes. Each route typically serves multiple schools, with Gaol Road currently acting as a central hub and transfer point. New arrangements are being put in place for the school relocation.

In the mornings, CBS students using the Bus Eireann school bus services will be shuttled from Gaol Road to the Grange Road for drop-off.

In the afternoons, the majority of students will be shuttled back to Gaol Road directly from the school, similar to arrangements in other secondary schools. Some students will be collected on Grange Road, depending on their direction of travel. Route-specific information will be provided directly by school bus drivers.

“We will continue to closely monitor the traffic situation, particularly in the early days of the new school term to ensure the safety and efficiency of traffic movement around the city," said Stan Cullen, city engineer.