Bus service levels on the Galway to Clifden corridor are to increase by over 30% this month thanks to a new integrated schedule for route 923 operated by Citylink and route 419 operated by Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced.
The new timetables will provide a combined 12 services per day in each direction between Clifden and Galway and 17 services per day in each direction between Oughterard and Galway, seven days a week.
These improvements represent a 33% increase in services for Clifden and a 31% increase in services for Oughterard and Moycullen.
An increase in the level of bus services on this corridor is an objective of the NTA’s Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
Bus services will now operate every two hours between Clifden and Galway, increasing to every hour at peak times. Buses will run between Oughterard and Galway every hour during the day, increasing to every half hour at peak times.
Route 923 is a commercial service that has been operated by Citylink, serving communities in Connemara since 2007.
Route 419 is a PSO service operated by Bus Éireann under contract with the NTA. Bus services to Leenane and Roundstone, which had been provided by Bus Éireann, will now be secured by Local Link Galway from mid-December.
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “The increase in bus services between Galway and Clifden are significant for the people living along the route and in the greater Connemara area.
“We have worked with both operators to ensure that the combined timetable is better integrated and offers substantially increased services along the route.
“This will enable more local people to use a frequent and reliable bus service to get to work, school and healthcare appointments.”
Route 923, operated by Citylink, will begin its enhanced service from Monday 11th of December and the new timetable for Bus Éireann’s Route 419 will start operation on Sunday 17th of December.
To learn more about the five year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan visit: www.nationaltransport.ie/connecting-ireland/