Commuters in Galway are to face reduced bus services and many will be forced to turn to other modes of transport as Bus Eireann have confirmed that they are to axe several routes.
The company plans to reduce and review a number of commuter services and evening routes in four cities in order to cut costs and break even. In total 52 routes around the country, including many in Galway, are being considered.
The routes include: 417 Tuam/Galway, 419 Galway/Clifden, 429 Castlerea/Galway, 436c Mountbellew/Galway, 416 Carna/Galway, 424 Carraroe/Galway, 432 Cong/Galway, 434 Gort/Galway, 418 Galway/Maree, 418 Galway/Athenry, 427 Eyrecourt/Galway, 431 Galway/Mountbellew, 20x Dublin/Galway, and 70 Galway/Athlone.
The plans will be implimented after June 19 and were sent to union negotiators some time ago. Bus Eireann will withdraw 150 buses from its 1,300 strong nationwide fleet and cut 322 out of its 2,700 staff unless an alternative can be worked out with SIPTU or the National Bus and Rail Union.
Bus Eireann have said that the routes chosen have had little customer support and that due to the current climate the company has seen a 10 per cent fall in demand, resulting in a loss of €30 million this year.
