The Galway transportation and planning study, which was jointly commissioned by Galway Corporation and County Council, addressed the question of developing commuter rail services in the county and specifically examined the potential for such a service on the Athenry to Galway rail link. However, after comparing both rail and bus options for commuter services the consultants recommended that the public transport strategy for the study area should be bus-based.
The study, which was completed in 1999, is currently under review and my Department is represented on the review group. The issue of a commuter rail service from Athenry to Galway may arise in the course of the review and if it does my Department will examine the case on its merits.