From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A feasibility study on the provision of light rail for Galway City is expected to be carried out as part of a transport strategy review being undertaken this year.

The move has been welcomed by Gluas, the Galway campaign for Very Light Rail (VLR), who claim that it would have the capacity to remove around 30% of traffic from the city.

Brendan Holland, Chairman of Gluas, noted that the National Transport Authority (NTA) have requested tenders from consultants to develop the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy for the next 20 years.

He said that for a long time the group has been calling for the NTA to do a full feasibility study on light rail for Galway.

“While these tender documents do not indicate a full comprehensive specific light rail study, the terms laid out are very welcome and we trust that this will be an independent process.”

The Gluas group believes that new VLR technology – battery-powered and lighter and cheaper than Luas-type light rail – could play a major role in alleviating the city’s traffic congestion problem.

They said that they were delighted to see that the tender documents include carrying out a data collection and research into varying forms of light rail.

The study includes detailed costs, passenger capacity and operational performances of the various types of light and very light rail.

“The technologies have moved on significantly in the last 10 years and there is no doubt that VLR is even more cost effective than other forms of light rail.

“As part of the tender, the study must engage and seek input and consult with the Gluas VLR for Galway group specifically on our proposals which we are particularly excited about,” said Mr Holland.

This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, see the January 6 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can support our journalism by buying a digital edition HERE.