Sinn Féin TD for Galway Louis O Hara, has said that the NTA must listen to the public following a public consultation held on re-routing the 425A bus service from Mountbellow to Galway through Athenry, which has now closed.
A large number of submissions opposed the NTAs plans, and O Hara says that the 425A route should be protected and a direct standalone bus established for Galway as soon as possible
Speaking today, Deputy O’Hara said the NTA agreed to hold this consultation following concerns expressed by people in communities along the 425A route including Mountbellow, Caltra, Monivea, Cussaun, Cartymore, Cashla and more regarding their plans to re-route the bus through Athenry.
“There was a very large response to the consultation with well over 100 submissions made. The submissions show overwhelming opposition to the NTA’s plans to re-route the bus, with the majority of people calling for the 425A route to be protected and a standalone, direct bus service to be established between Athenry and Galway
“There are significant concerns as the proposed changes would result in people in Monivea and Cussaun Cross losing their bus service to Galway, increased journey times and also capacity issues due to increased demand on services
“The 425A bus is the only public transport service for many communities along its route, and the changes would affect peoples work, study, appointments and push people who have previously relied on public transport back into their cars
“There is a growing demand for public transport and we need to be ambitious when it comes to new services. Communities along the 425A route deserve to have their bus route protected and in fact it should be improved and enhanced,” he said.
“A large town like Athenry should have its own service, particularly given the ongoing overcrowding issues on rail services and that the town is due to grow significantly in the coming years. It is unacceptable that the town has been left without a bus service for the past year and a half given the pressure on transport services
“Proposing to re-route an existing service instead of establishing a new service, presumably to cut costs, is not in anybody’s interest. It contradicts the Government’s and NTA’s stated policy of expanding rural transport services and enhancing mobility
“The people have spoken through this consultation and the NTA need to listen to the public. They must maintain and improve the existing 425A route, establish a regular standalone bus service between Athenry and Galway City as soon as possible and proceed with the proposed Athenry-Tuam Local Link which would complement these services.
Deputy O’Hara said that be will be bringing this message to NTA management and the Minister for Transport in the coming days.
