A novel ‘taxi’ service for working commuters and shoppers between Castlebar and Westport is being staged all of next week to help take cars off the road.
As part of "Travel Smarter Live Better" week, weekday Westport-Castlebar commuters are now being offered a ride in a free shuttle travelling each day between the two towns which will drop people off at appointed work places and town centre locations.
The free shuttle bus will run mornings and evenings between Westport and Castlebar for the work week beginning Monday next 20th September.
"The bus coincides with the working hours of the main employers and will ensure staff punctuality," explained Laura Heneghan of Iompar Mhaigh Eo, the group behind the initiative and other events being held for 'Travel Smarter Live Better' Week 2010. "But anyone in the community is welcome to use the service, whatever the reason for their journey".
The bus will depart from bus stops in Castlebar (Stephen Garvey Way ) and Westport (Mill St. ) at 7.30am and 8.25am, delivering passengers to the main employers in each town. Points served include Allergen, Baxter, Mayo County Council offices, the General Hospital, GMIT, Town Council offices, and the regular bus stops. In the afternoons, a return service will depart Baxter at 4.05pm and Stephen Garvey Way at 4.10pm and 5.15pm. Meanwhile, coming the other direction from Westport, commuters can avail of departures from Allergan at 4.35pm and the Mill Street Bus Stop (4.30pm & 5.15pm ).
The bus will also service passengers along the main Castlebar to Westport Road and, if requested by morning riders, additional pick up-points may be created.
"The latest census figures for Castlebar show 8461 people working in the town," said Andy Wilson of the Westport Sustainability group, "of which 77% drive a car to work while only 1% use public transport. The volumes of traffic passing between Westport and Castlebar is in the region of 6000 vehicles each way per day. Around 80 percent of those are cars, the vast majority of which contain only one occupant."
