Galway City Council officials are in advanced talks about using the city’s two university campuses as Park and Ride (P&R) facilities.

Management at City Hall confirmed to Councillor Eddie Hoare (FG) that the Council was negotiating with University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) about new P&R services for commuters.

Councillor Hoare said he was expecting ‘white smoke’ when the details were finalised, possibly next month.

The former Mayor previously suggested the car park in Corrib Village be used as a base for Park and Ride at Christmas for shoppers from North Connemara, but this proposal did not proceed.

One of the sticking points was understood to be who had responsibility for any parked cars that got damaged.

This is currently being worked out, but essentially parking would be at the owners’ risk.

The cost of providing buses was also an issue but the proposal was now back on the agenda.

Rather than the Council paying for private coaches, Councillor Hoare said commuters from along the N59 would park at Corrib Village and take the 404 Bus Éireann bus into town. This serves Westside to Oranmore and there’s a stop outside Corrib Village.

“This would be ideal for people living along or off the N59. People on the Ballagh Road, Oranswell, Bushypark, Corcullen, Woodstock and Moycullen could drive to Corrib Village, park for free, and take the 404 in.

“It would take cars off the road, and mean commuters won’t have to pay parking, and they would avoid traffic congestion,” he said.

On the east side, the idea is that commuters would park at ATU’s Dublin Road campus and commute by public bus into town.

Councillor Hoare said initially it might be trialled, at weekends, and when the universities are closed at Christmas.

Pictured: Councillor Eddie Hoare