A petition launched by Sinn Féin to Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan calling for restoration of the Bus Éireann 20-X20 Expressway service, which stopped in Craughwell, Loughrea, Aughrim and Ballinasloe, has gathered over 1200 signatures so far, including both physical and online signatures.
Galway East Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara has welcomed the large number of signatures and has called on Eamon Ryan to ensure that a bus service is reinstated for the areas affected.
Mr O’Hara said he welcomes the fantastic response to this petition.
“It demonstrates how important this bus service is to the people who use it on a regular basis. There was huge anger at the ending of the service among the people we spoke to while collecting signatures. It’s going to leave a lot of people in very difficult situations, for example elderly people who relied on the service for things like medical appointments.
“The decision doesn’t make sense, especially at a time when we are being told to reduce our emissions and use public transport. It’s another nail in the coffin of rural towns.
“The new private Aircoach 706x service is not a replacement for the Bus Éireann Expressway route, as it does not stop at Craughwell, Loughrea or Aughrim and leaves Ballinasloe with less frequent services.
“All options must be considered by Government to ensure that a bus service is reinstated for the areas affected. This bus service is simply too important to the people in the areas affected to be taken away. Villages like Kilreekil and Derrydonnell which have suffered enormously since the withdrawal of the 20-X20 service from their area in 2018 should also have it restored.
He said this is a lesson as to why public transport routes should never be put in the hands of private operators because it results in smaller towns and villages having services withdrawn.
“Going forward we need to see services provided by public companies like Bus Éireann increased so that public transport can be provided to rural communities in all parts of Galway and across the country.”
The petition will be delivered by Sinn Féin representatives to Minister Eamon Ryan next week. It can be signed online at http://chng.it/KdHHkFSG4B
