Efforts being made to save scrapped bus route
The decision to scrap the route has been heavily criticised.
There is shock and outrage over a decision to scrap a major Mayo bus route.
Bus Eireann announced it is to withdraw its Ballina – Galway (Route 52) Expressway service.
The company announced they have notified the National Transport Authority (NTA) and customers that from May 24, a number of Expressway services will be withdrawn including Route 52, Waterford – Dublin/Dublin Airport and Rosslare/Wexford – Waterford.
The Ballina-Galway service made stops in Foxford, Straide, Ballyvary, Castlebar, Breaffy, Balla, Claremorris, Ballindine, Milltown, Tuam, Claregalway and Galway city.
The company said these measures are in response to the continuous significant losses being incurred on these services.
Minister Dara Calleary said efforts are being made to retain the route.
“The news that broke on Friday evening last that Bus Éireann intends to cease its Route 52 Service between Ballina and Galway has been met with widespread disappointment by constituents of Ballina and across Mayo. I have been in contact with both the NTA (National Transport Authority) and the Minister for Transport over the weekend, “As is the case with any commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of BÉ Expressway routes has now triggered the NTA’s PSO Determination process. I have written to the NTA and the Minister strongly advocating for the retention of the Route 52 service. In light of ongoing fuel price increases, the necessity of this service for hospital appointments, college-goers and general connectivity of the region, it is vital that Route 52 is retained. Without pre-empting the outcome of the process, the NTA hope to conclude this over the coming days and I am very hopeful that a positive outcome can be reached,” he said.
Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh has called for urgent intervention by the NTA.
“For many people in these towns and villages, this route is a lifeline. Its withdrawal strips away essential transport infrastructure that people rely on daily to access work, education and hospital appointments, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time when petrol and diesel prices are soaring," said the Erris TD.
“I am particularly concerned about the impact on patients and families who depend on this service to attend either Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, including those accessing vital cancer treatment. Removing this transport link places additional stress and hardship on people at an already difficult time.
“Students commuting to college in Galway or ATU in Castlebar will also be severely affected. At a time when we should be encouraging access to education, decisions like this create further barriers for young people in rural Ireland," Deputy Conway Walsh added.
