Killarney’s new bus service does provide relative value for money, according to figures obtained by The Kerryman.
The TFI Anseo smart-routing pilot stands up to comparisons with the Tralee-Fenit bus route which provides a similar level of service in Kerry.
Unlike traditional bus services, TFI Anseo travels wherever passengers need to go within its local service area.
Data released previously showed that between August 2025 and June 2026, over 77,000 trips were facilitated by the service – roughly an average of five trips an hour.
New figures show the pilot costed a total of €467,721 during the first six months of this year, while the revenue generated from the service was €62,130 – accounting for 13pc of operating costs.
These costs provided for the operation of three buses, the smart routing software and other services.
In comparison, the Tralee-Fent shuttle bus (Fenit 278) cost a total of €138,066 over the same period, generating a revenue of €18,739.
Thus, the revenue generated for the service was just 14pc of total operating costs – barely 1pc higher than the Anseo scheme.
Furthermore, Killarney’s innovative bus service is in its early stages and is expected to become more efficient as time progresses.
Over a more recent period of operation, from March to June, revenues covered 14pc of operating costs.
The scheme has also recently introduced shared pick up and drop off locations which have increased service efficiency again, according to the National Transport Authority.
A recent extension to the pilot means the service will operate into the autumn, with a final report on the pilot due in December.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme