An extension of Galway’s busiest bus route, providing improved public transport for people working in Parkmore Business Park was officially opened on Monday by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, who expressed the hope it would ease congestion and improve air quality in the area.

Following the completion of the Parkmore Road Bus Priority Scheme, the Bus Éireann 409 services, which runs between Eyre Square and Parkmore, has been extended to include Parkmore Business Park West.

The Scheme provided a new bus lane along Parkmore Road from the Business Park roundabout towards the Monivea Road junction, allowing for bus journey times to be reduced.

The reduced times facilitated the expansion of the bus service into Parkmore Business Park, which began on March 9.

The Parkmore scheme was led by the Travel Department of Galway City Council and funded by the National Transport Authority. It included new bus stops (northbound and southbound) at Medtronic and Celestica in the business park, closer to people’s workplaces.

In addition to the bus lane, six new bus stops were built along the road, as well as four new signalised crossings. High-quality footpaths were constructed, and junctions were tightened to reduce vehicle speeds, improving safety for pedestrians. Upgrade works were also completed at the Monivea Road signalised junction.

The City Council hopes the new, improved bus service will encourage more workers to use public transport rather than travelling by car.

In addition to the National Transport Authority, the improved bus service has also been supported by the IDA and businesses in Parkmore, including members of the Parkmore Traffic Action Group.

Officially opening the scheme, Seán Canney, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, hoped the improved service would benefit some of the estimated 10,000 people working in Parkmore, as well as “ease congestion . . . and improve air quality”, a sentiment that was echoed by City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary. He emphasised the local authority’s commitment to sustainable transport.

The Parkmore project “demonstrates how collaboration among various stakeholders can deliver real benefits for the public”, he stated, adding that “Parkmore Business Park is a vital employment hub for Galway and the wider Western region”.

Brian Connolly, Senior Operations Officer for Bus Éireann in the West said the company had carried over 6.7million passengers in Galway City last year.

“Route 409 has shown the highest growth rate across the network, carrying almost two million passengers.”

IDA’s Ireland Regional Manager for West Ricky Conneely, described the expansion as “important initiative” for Galway.

“The provision of dependable public transport links, such as this new bus service will help businesses in Parkmore to attract and hold on to staff.”

The new bus lane facilitates the 401 and 409 bus routes, and, according to a City Council spokesperson, will be used extensively following the rollout of the Galway Bus Network Redesign in the coming years. A planning application has been lodged with Galway County Council to build a permanent turning circle, including rest facilities for drivers. This will be delivered in the coming months, subject to planning approval.

Pictured at the official opening of the Parkmore Road Bus Priority Scheme were: Joe Seymour, Assistant Director, Transport Planning and Investment at the National Transport Authority; Derek Pender, Director of Services, Project Development, Galway City Council; Brian Connolly, Senior Operations Officer West, Bus Éireann; Cllr John McDonagh; Cllr Eibhlín Seoighthe; Minister of State Seán Canney; Marie King, Sales Manager, West, Bus Éireann; and Eddie Kenny, Caragh Precision.