Huge Boost For Travel In Galway

Government Announces One Billion Euro Investment For Irish Rail and Bus Éireann

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen TD was in Galway last Thursday where, together with CIÉ Chairman Dr. John Lynch, he detailed plans for the development and expansion of Galway's Ceannt Railway Station and for improvements in both Irish Rail and Bus Éireann services in the Galway area.

Among the new initiatives is the redevelopment of Ceannt Station with the aim of delivering a new urban city quarter for Galway - Ceannt Station Quarter.

A transport interchange is an integral part of the suggested €1 billion investment programme with plans to develop three full-length platforms, allowing for intercity and commuter service expansion, 25 dedicated bus bays, and enhanced car parking facilities for public transport users.

Eight hundred residential units, including social and affordable housing are also part of the city quarter plan, together with cultural and community facilities.

Announcing the plans for the new station quarter, Minister Martin Cullen T.D., said: "The new, expanded and integrated transport facilities envisaged in the CIÉ plan will support much improved public transport services in terms of capacity and ease of use. 

"Good quality facilities of the type proposed are essential to attract more users to public transport."

Passenger numbers on the seven Iarnród Éireann services that operate each way between Galway and Dublin each weekday grew to 1.5 million in 2006. Services are set to improve with 150 new Government-funded rail cars due to arrive in Ireland from Korea in March.

Minister Cullen said: "The entry into service of these new rail cars over 2007 and 2008 (serving all the main intercity routes) will enable Iarnród Éireann to increase services on the Galway/Dublin line to 10 per day with hourly services at peak time and two-hourly services off peak."

Bus Éireann, who currently operate a fleet of 120 vehicles in Galway, are planning to add 54 new buses over the next three years to handle the projected 5.3 million passengers who are expected to use their services by 2009.

Minister Cullen also announced that 15 new vehicles have already been allocated for the Galway area to immediately expand the fleet.

While in Galway, the Minister also viewed a 'bus tram' supplied by Bus Éireann.

The company is currently examining the potential for the introduction in cities, of 'BRT' ( or Bus Rapid Transit), a system of "bus trams" or "streetcars" which are popular in the U.S., Canada and in a number of European cities. 

Bus trams can operate on ordinary road space and are capable of running on alternative, more environmentally friendly fuels.