Residents in Knocknacarra are calling on the City Direct bus service to resume operations, especially as the service provides "the only routes to the city centre or to Salthill"
City Direct services covering the general Knocknacarra area have been suspended for four months. The service stopped at the end of March, after Lockdown came into effect. On July 1, a company publication stated that the service will continue to be suspended.
"With lockdown measures easing we understand there is increased demand for resuming our service," the statement read. "Unfortunately, at this time we do not have additional information on the start date."
'Moving forward in the relaxing of restrictions means more business will open up and people will be required to travel back to their workplaces'
However residents are anxious to see it in operation again, given that other private bus services companies across the State have resumed operations.
"There is absolutely no public transport option for many Knocknacarra residents. For a large portion of the suburb, City Direct provided the only routes to the city centre or to Salthill," said Knocknacarra resident Conall Maguire. "Moving forward in the relaxing of restrictions means more business will open up and people will be required to travel back to their workplaces. At this moment that would be impossible for anyone who doesn’t have access to a car and is reliant on service provided by City Direct."
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Another Knocknacarra resident, Lauren Dolan, pointed out that more than 18,000 people live in Knocknacarra. "We cannot manage without adequate public transport servicing all of the area."
The residents calls are being supported by the Galway West branch of the Social Democrats. Soc Dem Galway chair, Sharon Nolan said, "If we want to work reducing car dependency and easing traffic congestion - we need safe, dependable, and workable alternatives for the public. Cycling infrastructure and regular public transport are key if we want to offer real alternatives for the residents of our city."
