Minister says he is ‘hopeful’ for future of scrapped Ballina to Galway Expressway service
Following the decision by Bus Éireann to scrap the Expressway service from Ballina to Galway, Minister Dara Calleary confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has commenced a Public Service Obligation Determination Process.
This process will assess whether there is sufficient public need for Route 52 to continue operating and, if so, the NTA will move to tender the service to an alternative bus operator.
Minister Calleary noted that the withdrawal of the Expressway service was met with “widespread disappointment by constituents of Ballina and across Mayo”.
He said he had been in contact with the NTA and Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien over the weekend to stress the importance of keeping the route between Mayo and Galway open.
“As is the case with any commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of Bus Éireann’s Expressway routes has now triggered the NTA’s Public Service Obligation Determination process,” he explained.
Minister Calleary said that the NTA is hoping to conclude the process in the coming days and added that, “without preempting the outcome” of the Public Service Obligation, he is “very hopeful that a positive outcome can be reached.”
He said it was vital for Route 52 to be retained, given the “ongoing fuel price increases” and given “the necessity of this service for hospital appointments, college-goers and general connectivity of the region.”
Last Friday, it was announced that service would be cease operation due to “continuous significant losses” from Sunday, May 24.
The route travels from Ballina through Foxford, Straide, Ballyvary, Castlebar, Breaffy, Balla, Claremorris, Ballindine, Milltown, Tuam and Claregalway before reaching Galway bus station.
Following the announcement, Mayo representatives voiced their frustration at the removal of what they said is a vital service for linking rural towns across the county and for providing an important connection to and from Galway.
It was also noted how important the service is for those travelling to hospital appointments at Mayo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway.
Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh immediately called on the Government and the NTA to install a replacement Ballina to Galway service, describing the decision as “a huge blow for rural connectivity and the local economy” in Mayo.
“Many rural communities rely on this service for hospital appointments, commuting to college or work, and visiting family and friends,” she said.
Deputy Conway-Walsh raised concerns about patients and families commuting to both Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, stating that “removing this transport link places additional stress and hardship on people at an already difficult time”.
She added that students commuting to ATU in Castlebar and college in Galway would also be affected and said that “decisions like this create further barriers for young people in rural Ireland.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.