Planned Galway bus reroute paused following backlash over traffic and capacity
Plans to reroute the 425A Galway bus service through Athenry have prompted the National Transport Authority (NTA) to initiate a public consultation following widespread concern from local residents.
Galway East TD Louis O’Hara shared details of the proposal for the reroute in a Facebook video, outlining information provided by the NTA during a meeting last month.
According to the Sinn Féin politician, the revised route was intended to be implemented by Christmas and would see the 425A service travelling from Mountbellew to Galway city via Athenry.
The bus would enter the town along the Athenry-Monivea Road, passing through Balydavid and Caheroyan, before continuing out the Tuam Road to rejoin its original path into Galway.
The proposed changes have sparked significant concern over traffic volumes and service availability, prompting the NTA to add a public consultation phase before any final decision is made.
The reroute is intended to address longstanding gaps in public transport provision in Athenry, where existing services have been described as limited and unsuitable. However, the plan has drawn criticism from commuters and public representatives alike.
Deputy O’Hara’s Galway East colleague, Fianna Fáil TD Albert Dolan, said constituents had raised issues around road capacity, safety, and the potential for increased journey times on an already lengthy commuter route, as well as availability for an already overflowing commuter area.
With no direct bus currently linking Athenry to Galway City, many residents say they are struggling to access reliable transport options.
The consultation will be held in the next two to three weeks, Deputy O’Hara confirmed.
“Many people have been in contact with me with concerns about this proposal – people along the existing route between Monivea and Cussane Cross who would have lost out on a service, and people right along the route and in Athenry who were concerned that there would not be sufficient capacity for the additional demand on the service,” he said.
“I firmly believe the 425A existing route should be maintained and there should be a standalone bus from Athenry to Galway to minimise disruption and ensure everyone is accommodated,” he added.
No changes will be made until the consultation process concludes and a final decision is reached.