The lack of proper tour bus parking facilities and the distance buses must drop tourists from the city centre “needs to be addressed as soon as possible”.
This is the view of Labour city councillor Niall McNelis who has raised the issue with the Junior Minister for Transport Alan Kelly and the Galway Transportation Unit in City Hall.
Describing the situation as a “major problem”, Cllr McNelis said “tour bus parking in the city centre is very poor”.
“Some buses park at Galway Cathedral but this is too far for the majority to walk to and from,” he said. “Buses need about 10 minutes to disembark and 20 minutes to load. I am disappointed we cannot drop off and collect tourists in Eyre Square on CIE lands.”
Cllr McNelis said the commitment given that the city will have a permanent tour bus parking area next year “is welcome but this season is still a priority”.
“Tourism numbers so far this season are good on the previous years,” he said. “We need to attract more to the city as visitors spend money which keep businesses and jobs going.”
The Labour councillor is now calling on the Galway City Council to look at various options for drop off and collection points in the city centre
