Frustration grows in Galway town over ‘transport chaos’ between train overcrowding and lack of buses

In early October , the National Transport Authority (NTA) announced the implementation of a new bus service linking Athenry and Galway City, following the cancellation of a privately operated bus service and several issues with the morning train service in September.

However, one month after the announcement the bus service has not been established yet and Cllr O'Hara said he is frustrated and disappointed.

He explained that elective members had the chance to question NTA representatives at a recent council meeting, but no update has been given on when the service will be established.

Cllr O'Hara told the Irish Independent: "The response from them was extremely disappointing. They didn't answer my questions as to when people could expect this service to be up and running or where the process was at.

"This needs to be treated with a lot of urgency, just given how dire the situation is at the moment with transport in and out Galway city from Athenry.

"This is hugely frustrating for commuters from Athenry to Galway, given ongoing overcrowding on trains and the lack of early morning services. It is also a major inconvenience for students, workers and people attending hospital appointments in the city who previously relied on the bus service which stopped at industrial estates and universities.

He added: "The NTA gave commitment to this and they need to be held to that commitment. We need to have this service up and running as soon as possible. It is absolutely shocking that Athenry has been left in this situation."

The lack of bus services linking Athenry and Galway City has also had an impact on the train service which has been reported to be extremely overcrowded and Cllr O'Hara described the situation as "transport chaos".

While the PSO bus service might help the situation, Cllr O'Hara has also called for more carriages to be added to the early morning train service.

"Obviously the buses are a very important part of the solution, but we do need extra carriages on the train as well. I raised this with Irish Rail, they are saying they don't have carriages available, they are all in use, but they need to source new ones urgently," he said.

While in the long term, Cllr O'Hara mentioned more funding to the NTA, the Western Railway Corridor and double tracking at Athenry station.

"In the long term full double tracking is needed so we can have really regular and reliable train services in and out Galway City.

"Funding was one issue that the NTA has mentioned as being an issue in terms of getting bus services up and running across the country. They are trying to deliver the Connecting Ireland plan, which is a very good plan, but the government just hasn't put enough funding into it and Sinn Féin in government would absolutely commit to accelerating delivery of that plan and in getting more bus links up and running across the county.

"We're also committed to the reopening of the Western Railway Corridor from Claremorris and Tuam into Galway City. To ease traffic and to give people more than an option to commute sustainably.

"And the double tracking from Athenry to Galway is absolutely essential to go hand in hand with that, because you can't have extra services into the city until that fully happens."