Athlone 'urgently needs a better bus service to Dublin'

A local election candidate in Athlone is highlighting the need for an increase in bus services between the town and Dublin.

Labour's Ray Lennon said bus links between Athlone and the capital had declined in recent years with the withdrawal of the Galway to Dublin routes that had been provided by Bus Éireann and, more recently, Aircoach.

"These services were very popular, in particular with people heading to the airport for work, or attending college," said Mr Lennon.

"Bus Eireann took its popular X20 route out of service, and only recently Aircoach has stopped its service. Now only Citylink provides a service to Dublin, and some people are finding the Citylink departure schedules unsuitable.

"If I am elected to the Athlone electoral area of Westmeath County Council, I will be seeking that the council write to our State-owned Bus Eireann, and to other providers and the Department of Transport, in order to get a better service so that the people of Athlone who want to use public transport have proper service available to service their needs," he concluded.