Athenry’s early train service hits the buffers
There is no funding in place to maintain the trial run of the 6.50am train from Athenry to Galway beyond August – or to establish the long-promised new bus service between Athenry and Galway.
That’s according to correspondence received by Galway East TD Louis O’Hara from the NTA and Iarnród Éireann.
The Sinn Féin Deputy claimed that Athenry’s transport needs are being ignored by the Government – and he called on Ministers for Transport, Darragh O’Brien and Sean Canney, to step up and fund these essential services.
“The 6.50am train from Athenry-Galway was established last year and has been very successful,” he said.
“I have been lobbying Iarnród Éireann to make this a permanent service, but they have informed me that there is no funding in place to keep it running past August.
“This is the earliest service into Galway. Without it, commuters would have to wait another hour for the next train into Galway.
“It is critical for people who have work, education and other commitments early in the morning in the city. I’m told there are 50 people using this service every morning and they will be left with no alternative early morning public transport service into Galway,” he said.
What compounds the impact of this is confirmation from the National Transport Authority that there’s also no funding in place from Government for the new bus service from Athenry to Galway promised 18 months ago, following the recent public consultation.
“I'm sick and tired of Athenry's transport needs being ignored by the Government,” said Deputy O’Hara.
"Train services are constantly overcrowded, sometimes to dangerous levels. We desperately need more public transport, not cuts to services
Train services are constantly overcrowded, sometimes to dangerous levels. We desperately need more public transport, not cuts to services
“I will be raising this at every possible opportunity and I’m calling on Ministers for Transport, Darragh O’Brien and Sean Canney, to step up and fund these essential bus and rail services,” he added.
Fellow Galway East Deputy Albert Dolan has also consistently called for a dedicated Athenry–Galway bus service.
“Athenry is a town with a population in excess of 5,000 people. Our trains are at capacity, and we need a bus to provide an alternative form of transport into the city,” he said recently in the Dail.
“A new service, going via Derrydonnell and Oranmore, could cover more areas and would meet the public service obligation for the town.”
Responding then in the Dáil, the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien acknowledged Deputy Dolan’s advocacy and confirmed that the submissions were being reviewed by the NTA.
“There were over 100 submissions, which is good,” he said.
"They are being assessed now. I have asked for an update on when we are coming back with the assessment of the submissions,” he added.
And he said that any future changes will be informed by the public submissions.