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By Sean Moriarty

The potential use of electric buses to transport visitors to and from the National Park is welcomed by local Green Party members. Earlier this week the Minister for State Malcolm Noonan said he wanted to investigate a plan to introduce an electric shuttle bus service to the town.

While details of the proposal have not been formalised, local Green Party representative Diarmuid Griffin backed the suggestion. He said that as well as environmental benefits the idea could help reduce traffic congestion in popular areas within the park.

“Tomies, for example, is attracting a lot more cars than anticipated,” the Fossa man told the Killarney Advertiser. “It would offer a carbon neutral way of travel.”

The Minister's spokesperson confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that he was keen to explore electric bus options in Killarney National Park.

"The Minister will work with all partners in Killarney into the future to explore such options, which could include provision of electric shuttle services from the town and improvements to encourage cycling," the spokesperson said. "But for now he is urging everyone to play their part and restrict movements to their 5k while Level 5 is in place and to use common sense and not park in unauthorised areas of the park."