Galway people will once again be able to park and ride this Christmas.
Galway City Council has launched its Christmas Park and Ride Service, which swings into operation on Saturday 4 December at 7am.
Buses will leave Galway Racecourse every 15 minutes, arriving into the Coach Station, which is located close to the Galway Continental Market and the wider shopping experience on offer in the city.
At just €2 return irrespective of number of passengers in a car, Galway City Council has set this low price to encourage as many people as possible to park at the Racecourse and travel to the city centre by bus.
Following a competitive tendering process, this year the contract for the provision of the bus service was awarded to Bus Eireann. And this year, Galway Transportation Unit has again teamed up with Bus Eireann, Iarnrod Eireann and An Taisce Green Schools Travel Programme to encourage increased uptake of sustainable travel modes in the run up to Christmas.
As part of this integrated Christmas Park and Ride campaign, members of the public can avail of promotional Iarnrod Eireann fares with the price of an adult day return from Athenry to Galway City reduced from €11 to €6. Lower fares are also available for children and students.
In addition, Bus Eireann is offering €10 day return fares to the city centre from a host of County Galway towns, including Tuam, Gort, Oughterard, Loughrea, Mountbellew and Carraroe amongst others.
Galway Transportation Unit is also encouraging schoolchildren, teachers and parents to support An Taisce Green Schools Travel Programme initiatives by walking, parking and striding, cycling, carpooling or taking the bus to school in the city.
Commenting on the Park and Ride Campaign, Head of Galway Transportation Unit Joe Tansey said it is hoped the service and the other initiatives on offer will reduce traffic in the city over the coming weeks so as to make working, shopping or visiting Galway City this Christmas a more enjoyable experience.
