Service provider Farrell's of Athenry's decision to cease its daytime bus services from Athenry to Galway city from September 13 has been described by Councillor Louis O'Hara as a 'huge loss to the local community'.
Up to September 13, the Athenry to Galway service provided by Farrell's of Athenry offered seven daily services between the two locations, running from 7am until 5pm throughout the week. With scheduled stops in Parkmore Industrial Estate, Ballybane Industrial Estate, University of Galway and ATU's Galway city campus the service was popular with commuters and students.
"Once the bus service stops, Athenry will be served only by train and one local link that goes between Athenry and Loughrea. There has been a huge amount of concern in Athenry about the bus service discontinuing, largely due to it being a service that a lot of people would rely on to get to work and into the two universities in the city.
"The bus was a convenient option too for people who may not be in a position to be able to go down to the train station, because the bus picks people up at a few different points."
According to Cllr O'Hara, the reasons behind the discontinuation of the service centred around rising costs, demand and issues with travel passes.
“I spoke with the company today and they feel they have no option but to end this service due to rising costs, insufficient demand, and problems with free travel passes among other issues."
In addition to inconveniencing commuters, the cessation of the bus services to the city will also impact the train services from Athenry, a service which Cllr O'Hara describes as 'already struggling at times'.
"This will put a lot of pressure on the rail service, a service which is already struggling at times," said Cllr O'Hara.
Night and day
Despite news of the closure bringing disappointment to many, Farrell's of Athenry has stated that its night-link service which offers four scheduled bus services from 8pm to 1am on Friday, Saturday and Bank Holiday Sundays, will continue.
Regarding the closure, Farrell's of Athenry, said, "We will not be making any comments only to say that the service is out of contract and we will not be renewing same. The night-link service will continue.
"We would like to thank all our drivers over the years who have provided the service, and we would also like to thank the people who travelled with us."
Intervention needed
With just over a week until the vital service ceases, Cllr O'Hara has called for intervention and investigation regarding the situation by both the National Transport Authority (NTA ) and the Minister for Transport.
"It is important that the NTA reappraises the situation regarding public transport in Athenry after this, and that they put in place some kind of supports, or introduce a publicly funded service which will serve the people of the town.
"There is a proven need for the bus services in the area and I will be pushing the Minister and the NTA to introduce such a service."
In response to the topic, a spokesperson for the NTA stated, “The National Transport Authority (NTA ) will be examining service provision on the Athenry – Galway city corridor over the next few weeks. At the end of this examination a determination will be made as to whether additional services are required on the corridor. The decision of the Authority will be communicated publicly once it has been made.”
Available alternatives
With public transport being actively promoted by Government, Cllr O'Hara says that Athenry is just one example of a rural community that is crying out for viable public transport options, but has been left with little choice.
"Quite often people in rural areas feel like they are being punished, for example the cost of fuel increasing and car usage being discouraged, but for people in rural towns there is often no alternative, so it is like a sore subject for many places, not just Athenry.
"We need to be prioritising public transport at every available opportunity."
