€3 million boost for transport initiatives
An announcement of over €3 million in State funding for sustainable transport initiatives in the city this week is expected to boost public transport usage, cycling, and walking in Galway.
The National Transport Authority funding announced by the Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, has been broadly welcomed.
Cllr Niall McNelis (Labour) said the long-awaited provision of €110,000 towards tour bus parking will bring more visitors into the city centre, create and save jobs, and support local businesses.
He has also welcomed bus stop upgrades at Shangort Road, Bearna Road, and a €175,000 grant for the provision of a cycleway at Threadneedle Road.
Senator Hildegarde Naughton (FG), who launched a Galway transport initiative during her term as Mayor of Galway in 2011, also welcomed the funding.
“These funds are very welcome and will improve sustainable transport in Galway City for cyclists, pedestrians and those use public transport. I support Minister Kelly in his initiative to get people to use alternatives to cars,” she said.
“However, in Galway City, this will only happen, in my view, when an adequate, direct and timely bus service is in place across the city and in particular, an efficient service which allows Galway commuters to travel directly from the residential areas in the west of the city to the industrial and business parks in the east without having to go through the city centre.”
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.