Unanswered questions mount over NTA plan for Galway’s redesigned bus network
A presentation last month on a major redesign of Galway city’s bus network with the National Transport Authority (NTA) left councillors with a raft of unanswered questions, and, a month later, they are still waiting for replies.
At a meeting in November, transport consultant John Barry outlined the proposed changes but, Social Democrats Councillor Alan Curran said, he did not address any of the queries raised by councillors.
So during December’s meeting, councillors immediately returned to the missing information, seeking updates on bus shelters, budget implications, and the reliability of the revamped service.
Cllr Donal Lyons pressed the executive for its views on how the National Transport Authority (NTA) was handling engagement with the local authority, expressing disappointment that a detailed, route-by-route layout had not been provided.
Procurement officer Barry Horgan, standing in for Director of Services Derek Pender, told councillors that full responses from the NTA would hopefully be available by the conclusion of the plenary meeting.
However, patience with the NTA appeared to be waning as Fianna Fáil councillor Frank Fahy reminded colleagues: “We sat here for an hour and a half and asked questions. We haven’t received responses.”
Cllr Fahy said bus shelters were among his biggest concerns, given Galway’s unpredictable weather. “People would not walk to a bus stop only to stand in the rain”, he said, stressing the need for well-lit, fully covered shelters across the network.
In November, Cllr Eibhlín Seoighthe had also queried what provisions would be put in place in the interim for rural areas and communities with limited service.
The NTA is expected to circulate its answers to councillors shortly.