Galway city is to have its first ever 24-hour bus route, running through the heart of the city at 15-minute intervals.
Details of the route were unveiled this week when the draft new bus network was launched in the city by the National Transport Authority.
The new 24-hour bus service, to be known as Route 9, will operate from Knocknacarra through the city centre to Doughiska and Parkmore.
Three proposed routes would operate every 15 minutes or better. In addition, some routes would run longer in the morning and at night.
However, it could be 2025 before the new routes are introduced, following a consultation process, which will run for six weeks.
Public information events will take place from May 16 to 18, while an online consultation process will allow members of the public to provide their feedback on the proposals. The redesign will be finalised in the coming months and the new network will be rolled out from 2025.
The revolutionary plan will also see the level of bus services in Galway city, Bearna and Oranmore increase by nearly 50%.
The redesign of the bus network is one of the nine key elements of BusConnects Galway that aims to fundamentally transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.
The added service levels will make possible the extension of bus services to new areas, more routes with frequent services, an enhanced weekend timetable and a new 24-hour route.
Brendan McGrath, CEO of Galway City Council said that as Galway city and its environs continue to grow, it is crucial that they put in place a public transport network that underpins a thriving city and accelerates the journey to a net-zero future.
