Bus Éireann is to provide the Park and Ride service, on behalf of the Galway City Council, beginning this Saturday, providing an affordable and convenient transportation alternative during the busy Christmas season.
According to the Galway Transportation Unit, the Park and Ride service, at €3 per car and with passengers travelling free, provides the best value parking in the city during the duration of the scheme - from this Saturday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 24.
Motorists arriving at Galway Racecourse can park all day, up to 9.30pm, with their passengers also able to avail of return bus travel every 15 minutes from Ballybrit Racecourse to Galway Coach Station, for an all inclusive price of just €3.
Speaking about the service, Jim Molloy, head of the Galway Transportation Unit, stated: “To maximise uptake of the Park and Ride, we aim to keep the price as low as possible, this in turn reduces traffic congestion and makes visiting the city centre a more enjoyable experience for all.”
Bus Éireann took up the running of the service following a competitive tendering process. The service will operate every 15 minutes, Monday to Saturday from 7am to 9.30pm, and on Sundays between 11am and 7.00pm.
According to the organisers, choosing to Park and Ride offers a number of advantages to customers over car travel, such as a highly competitive price, high frequency buses, no scrambling for parking spaces, faster journey times (courtesy of the bus lanes ), hassle free travel, and reliability. And, for families, the Park and Ride proves to be a big hit with young children.
With a fleet of buses on hand to shuttle passengers to the city centre every 15 minutes the service is an ideal choice for people visiting the recently opened Continental Market and the city centre in the run up to Christmas. The terminus at Galway Racecourse is perfectly situated for people travelling to the city along the M6, N6, N17, N18 and Monivea Roads. To assist road users, signage will be in place along all key routes to direct customers towards the facility at Ballybrit.
Further details on the Park and Ride service and promotional fares on offer by Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann can be viewed or downloaded at www.galwaycity.ie .
