CANCELLED! Bus services in Limerick impacted as Storm Darragh approaches

BUS ÉIREANN has cancelled dozens of Expressway services and some local services in Limerick following the issuing of a number of severe and extreme weather warnings by Met Eireann.

As Storm Darragh hurtles towards Ireland, status red wind warnings have been issued for SEVEN counties - Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Wicklow.

A status orange wind warning for Limerick and Munster will take effect from 8pm and will remain valid until 10am on Saturday.

READ ALSO: LIVE: Track Storm Darragh as it travels towards Ireland amid severe weather warnings

Confirming the cancellation of over 60 services, a spokesperson for Bus Éireann said the decision was made "following an assessment of the available information from Met Éireann and the likely impact of the Storm".

The transport company says a large number of services across Expressway intercity, commuter and city services, scheduled to operate between these times, have been cancelled.

Expressway services between Limerick and Galway have been cancelled after 7pm and all late-night and overnight services between Limerick and Shannon have been cancelled after 8pm while a number of local services in Limerick and Clare have also been cancelled.

Route 301

• Depart Westbury at 20:05 – Terminating in Fr Russell Rd at 20:42
• Depart Fr Russell Rd at 19:50 - Terminating in Westbury at 20:27
• Services after these times are cancelled

Route 302

• Depart Henry St at 20:30 – Terminating in Sarsfield St at 20:54
• Services after these times are cancelled

Route 303

• Depart Pineview at 20:00 – Terminating in Kilmallock Rd at 20:33
• Depart Kilmallock Rd at 20:04 – Terminating in Pineview 20:37
• Services after these times are cancelled

Route 304

• Depart Raheen at 19:55 – Terminating University of Limerick at 20:39
• Depart University of Limerick at 19:50 – Terminating in Raheen at 20:45
• Services after these times are cancelled

Route 304A

• Depart University of Limerick at 20:03 – Terminating in Raheen at 20:42
• Depart Raheen at 20:00 – Terminating in University of Limerick at 20:30
• Services after these times are cancelled

Route 306

• Depart Henry Street at 20:30 - Terminating in Sarsfield St at 20:43
• Depart Sarsfield Gardens at 19:45 – Terminating in Henry St at 20:01
• Services after these times are cancelled

Bus Éireann is advising all intending passengers in Limerick and around the country to check the ‘Service Updates’ section of its  website before travelling. The company says it will continue to monitor weather advisories as well as road conditions in the coming days and any service disruptions will be posted on its website.

"The safety of our passengers and staff is of paramount importance to Bus Éireann and we would encourage all customers to plan their journeys in advance, allowing extra time for their journey, during this period of adverse weather, said a spokesperson.

Scheduled Expressway services to Dublin from Donegal, Mayo, Sligo and Galway, which were due to depart this Friday evening have been cancelled as have some city and town services in Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and Limerick

Met Éireann has issued three Status Red Wind Warnings for Clare, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim & Sligo from approx. 10pm tonight until 3am tomorrow due to the arrival of #StormDarragh.
Information on services affected is available online from https://t.co/GB681Pnfzf#StatusRed pic.twitter.com/gfZwDO9LA2

— Bus Éireann (@Buseireann) December 6, 2024

The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management is appealing to members of the public to not travel in areas where a red level warning is in place and to shelter in place during these times.