The more bus services there are the more the people will use them, but this will not happen if Bus Éireann reduces bus services in the county.
This is the view of Fine Gael Oranmore area candidate Eamon Fox. It is understood that Bus Éireann plans to reduce services on a number of local routes from Galway including Tuam, Cong, Castlerea, Mountbellew, Gort, and Athlone after June 19. Mr Fox is urging Bus Éireann to reconsider any proposals to axe such services.
“Any reduction of services on these routes is going to limit commuter options throughout the Oranmore area and this is not how we should be planning transport policy in the county,” he said.
Mr Fox believes that instead of reducing the service to commuters an enhanced bus service must be developed quickly.
“What is the point in building bus lanes in Claregalway to facilitate a skeleton daily bus service to and from the city?” he asked. “A lot more people would travel by bus if they were available regularly and if more bus stops were provided in locations such as Claregalway and along the N17 at Two Mile Ditch. Obvious needs such as a service from the Galway Airport to the city are also not being met”.
Mr Fox is also calling for a comprehensive transport management plan for Galway to relieve long suffering residents in communities on the eastern approaches to the city. He also said the plan must prioritise the long-awaited and much talked about Claregalway Bypass/Inner Relief Road.
