Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cannon for putting a very robust case on the record of the House. I will relay that to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and his thoughts on the content of the response from the Department on the policy perspective and the delivery of key services to his community.

The Minister for Transport believes in expanding the public transport network and increasing service levels throughout the country in the ways set out in policies like Connecting Ireland and BusConnects.

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan 2022-2025 is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns. More than 100 rural villages will benefit from frequent public transport service, at least three return trips daily, for the first time. The plan will also see a 25% overall increase in rural bus services, and more than 60 new connections to regional cities from surrounding areas.

Collectively, these measures will not only further improve connectivity in the area but will provide viable alternatives to the private car for those living in the region. In addition to the plans under BusConnects, I understand that at present, the NTA's park and ride office has identified two optimal locations in close proximity to junction 19 on the N6 for new park-and-ride facilities which are currently being explored. Planning for enhanced infrastructure to facilitate the expansion of rail-based park and ride at Oranmore Station is separately being undertaken by Irish Rail in conjunction with the NTA's park and ride office. These two strategic park-and-ride locations will be served by a new dedicated bus services. This new service will require some additional bus priority to connect with the proposed Galway BusConnects proposal but, in the large, will use significant sections of the proposed Galway BusConnects to access the city centre. This will provide additional transport options to people commuting to Galway city.

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