New bus service to be introduced between Athlone and Ballinasloe
Confirmation of a plan to introduce a new local link bus service from Athlone to Loughrea, via Ballinasloe, has been welcomed by the local community in Moore.
TFI Local Link Galway has confirmed that the new bus service would commence in "the next seven weeks" following a contract tender process.
Travelling from the direction of Ballinasloe towards Athlone, the bus service will stop at Millar's bar and restaurant (Moore), Connaughton's pub (Johnstown), Cornafulla, Kielty, Summerhill, Orwell Grove, Baylough, Annsfield Woods, Iona Park and Barrack Street before terminating at the town's bus and rail station.
Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, TFI Local Link Galway Manager, Joe Greally said that the contract process was going out to tender this week with the hope that the service would start towards the end of May.
"We would hope to have the service operational within seven weeks. There will be four return services, operating seven days per week," Mr Greally said.
In a social media post, Moore Community Office expressed thanks to all those who played a role in ensuring a local link bus service from Athlone to Loughrea via Ballinasloe would soon serve the community.
"A huge thanks to those who lobbied and campaigned for this service, community organisations, public representatives, those who completed the survey, and especially to Moore Community Council (MCC) and to campaigner Sean O'Rourke who led out on this for MCC," said the group
"It is much-needed good news for the area and should support people to link up with local health, educational, employment, social and economic, and entertainment services," the Facebook post added.
A local community group campaigning for the introduction of a local bus service between Athlone and Ballinasloe was established in Moore last year, and a community survey was also carried out on the issue.
Speaking upon its establishment, campaigner Sean O'Rourke said that the area did have an excellent bus service in the nineties and early noughties, but it had since diminished.
"We want more of a local service to get to key areas in the key towns. We're not expecting a bus to bring us to Dublin or Galway, we just want a link to the local health centres, to get to work, to get to TUS," Sean added.
Local councillor, Valerie Duffy, stated that the introduction of the new bus service, while being a boost for Moore, would also have benefits from an environmental perspective.
"We have been campaigning for the introduction of such a bus service for a number of years and as recently as last summer submitted a survey to TFI with feedback from the community in this regard.
"As well as easing the demands on parents who have been regularly driving their children to Athlone and Ballinasloe, the introduction of this bus service will have a positive impact on the environment with fewer cars on the road.
"Hopefully the older generation in particular will use the bus service for appointments in Portiuncula Hospital or to go shopping in Athlone. This route has been a black spot in terms of town linkages in the wider Midlands region so I am sure it will prove to be a popular service when it becomes operational," Cllr Duffy said.