TFI Local Link Kerry recently spoke with James Flavin of Flavin Coaches. James operates the below services on behalf of TFI Local Link Kerry.

R23 – BALLYDUFF – LISTOWEL

R25 – BALLYDUFF – ABBEYDORNEY – TRALEE

R26 – BALLYDUFF – CAUSEWAY – ARDFERT – TRALEE

He kindly gave some of his free time to answer a number of questions as part of our TFI Local Link Kerry Operator Q&A Series.

1. From your own experience, what does TFI Local Link Kerry mean to your passengers?

Local link is far more than just a means of transport to the passengers that use its services. A lot of people use the services for its social aspect as they get to meet people from the locality that they may not meet if these services were not available. It is an outing that people can look forward to every week and in rural communities especially this is so important, the mental aspect of having something to focus on and look forward to especially during these times is vital. For us as a small family business it brings great satisfaction knowing that we play a small part in helping people out and hope to work alongside Local Link Kerry for many years to come keeping these services going.

2.Funniest Moment or Wittiest comment you have experienced or heard coming from a passenger?

Over the years all of us have heard a lot of funny stories and had a lot of funny moments with our passengers on the bus, you get a chance to meet and interact with so many different types of characters it would be next to impossible to pick out one moment, laughter is the best medicine of all and thankfully there has never been a shortage of that on the buses.

3. If you were stuck on a bus, who would you like it to be with & why?

If I was stuck on a bus with one person it would have to be my father Pat Flavin. He started the family business off in the nineties so he is always great to give some guidance and help with any issues or questions I might have. Additionally, he has spent a lot of his life on the road so I always find his stories of the olden days very interesting and amusing.

4. If you could relocate your route to anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

Most operators will probably come back with the same answer but I wouldn’t want to relocate my route to anywhere else. Myself, Dad, Ray, drivers and helpers on the bus have built up great friendships with so many different people over the years ,it would not be the same without them. Our local routes around Ballyduff, Causeway, Lisselton and Ballybunion have some great scenery so no need to relocate!

5. Best advice you have heard from a Passenger?

Just to keep up the good work and keep doing what we are doing. We put a lot of work and effort in behind the scenes so we can deliver a service to the people as best as we possibly can so it is always nice to know that people appreciate and take notice of our efforts.

 

Thanks to James and all at Flavin Coaches for participating in the fourth of our Q&A series with our operators. More to follow…