Mairéad Farrell
Question:19. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on BusConnects Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52125/23]
View answerThursday, 30 November 2023
Questions (19)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, is overseeing the delivery of BusConnects programmes in our five cities, including Galway, which are planned to be substantially delivered in all five cities by 2030.
BusConnects Galway will provide a major enhancement to the bus system in Galway, comprising changes to the network, the fleet, ticketing, and the development of bus lanes and bus priority measures.
The largest part of the programme is the development of bus priority measures and bus lanes throughout the city. Key elements of that programme are currently under development, namely the Cross City Link project and the Dublin Road Scheme.
The Cross City Link is a 6.7km scheme that aims to create a sustainable transport corridor from the northeast of Galway to the northwest. The Salmon Weir Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge element of the scheme was officially opened to the public earlier this year while the wider scheme was lodged with An Bord Pleanála, in 2022, and is awaiting their decision.
The Dublin Road Scheme will deliver 4km of high-quality pedestrian, cyclist and public transport infrastructure along a key transport corridor on the east of the city. A planning application in respect of the scheme is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2024.
Bus services are also being improved and the NTA published its draft new bus network for Galway in April 2023, for public consultation. This should provide for an increase in the level of bus services in Galway City, Bearna and Oranmore by nearly 50%. The added service levels will make possible the extension of bus services to new areas, more frequent services and a new 24-hour route. The proposals will also increase the number of residents in the city and its suburbs living within a 400 metre walk of a bus stop compared to today. The redesign will be finalised in the coming months and the new network will be rolled out from 2025.