New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that transport volumes have dropped after the latest Government Covid-19 restrictions introduced earlier this month.
These restrictions included a request for people to avoid public transport if practicable and a request to businesses to facilitate working from home where possible.
Tighter restrictions were also imposed in counties Kildare, Offaly and Laois. The CSO noted that the pace of recovery of road traffic volumes for cars and HGVs to pre Covid-19 levels continues to outstrip that of public transport passenger numbers.
Today's figures show that the number of bus and rail journeys taken during the week starting August 16 was 58.4% lower than the week starting March 1.