The annual Park & Ride Christmas Service makes a welcome return to the city this year.
The festive service will commence on Saturday and continue to operate every day right up to Christmas Eve.
The service will operate from Ballybrit Racecourse to the city centre from 9.30am to 9.15pm daily, and from 11am to 9.15pm on Sundays.
Buses will run every 15 minutes in both directions between the racecourse and the coach station at Fairgreen (every 30 minutes between 7pm and 9pm on Sundays ).
Once again the service will be operated by Callinan Coaches on behalf of Galway City Council and the fee is €1 per person each way with children and pensioners travelling for free, the cost includes all-day parking at Ballybrit.
The service was launched this week by the Mayor of Galway, Colette Connolly, and the Transport SPC chairperson, Frank Fahy, with director of services for Transport, Patrick Greene, Galway Chamber’s Enda McGuane, and staff from the Galway City Council.
The service enables those who are working, shopping or just want to enjoy Galway city at Christmas time, a frequent service with a number of advantages over car travel. The high frequency of buses, competitive pricing at €1 per person each way, and the faster journey time using the bus lanes, will make the journey stress-free and reliable.
The terminus at Galway Racecourse is situated for people travelling to the city along the Tuam Road, M17, M18, M6, Dublin Road and Monivea roads.
Irish Rail is once again supporting the Christmas park and ride by providing free parking at Athenry, Oranmore, Craughwell, Ardrahan and Gort stations commencing on December 1.
Commenting on the service, managing director of Callinan Coaches, Tommy Callinan, says the company is proud to be awarded the contract for the provision of the Christmas Park & Ride service on behalf of Galway City Council.
“As a locally based family-owned company, we can bring our extensive expertise to facilitate passenger comfort and satisfaction using our modern vehicles and experienced staff. In tandem with the city council, we will endeavour to assist customers in having a stress free and enjoyable visit to Galway city centre during this busy Christmas period for a very reasonable cost.”
Patrick Greene says the council is pleased to offer the service, which is now in its 14th year of promoting and running this initiative for Christmas shoppers and visitors to the city.
Further details on the Park & Ride can be viewed or downloaded at www.galwaycity.ie All users of the service must comply with the public transport public health measures in place for the duration of its operation. Wearing a face covering will be mandatory.
