Bus Éireann must revisit decision to drop bus stops on Galway route

Labour Transport spokesperson, Senator Kevin Humphreys has called on Bus Éireann to revisit their decision to axe totally ten stops on the No. 20 and 20X bus route, and has written to the NTA, Minister for Transport Shane Ross, Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring, and Bus Éireann to have it resolved, saying this is a further blow to rural Ireland.

Senator Humphreys said:

“Bus Éireann is a publicly owned state company with the responsibility to provide transport services across the country. I have written to the Minister for Transport Shane Ross, the Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring, the NTA and Bus Éireann to raise my serious concerns about this latest attack on rural Ireland. The Government has a much promoted action plan for rural development, but once again we are seeing services restricted for those living outside our cities and towns.

“It is unacceptable that Bus Éireann would take the unilateral decision to drop ten stops serving rural communities across the Midlands and into Galway without any real advance notice or consultation with the communities affected nor any plans to put alternative services in place. People travelling to work and appointments have already been seriously inconvenienced.

“I’m also really surprised that such a major change would be introduced in the middle of summer when there are also less students travelling to and from college and school.

“The affected stops are Kilrickle, Oranmore, Derrydonnell and Creagh/Dubarry in Galway; Ballydangan in Roscommon; Horseleap in Offaly; Tyrellspass, Rochfortbridge and Miltownpass in Westmeath; Clonard in Meath, and Moyvalley in Kildare. These towns and villages across the Midlands deserve better from the Government.

“In effect, Bus Éireann is cutting these rural communities off from connections to the rest of the coumtry, is saying it has no responsibility to serve these townlands and villages, and is obviously hoping the NTA will step in to subsidise connections.

“I am deeply disappointed that a state run company would take such a decision, when we should be seeking to connect more rural communities, rather than isolate them.”