Galway's BusConnects: A 25% Ridership Boost

0:00Europe news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters across Europe. I'm Cory with the story. Galway has long battled severe traffic congestion from too many cars clogging its roads during rush hours. City leaders point to the 2016 Galway transport strategy as the road map out, calling for a mix of fixes like better buses, possible, light rail, and a ring road someday. Right now, the focus is on bus connects, a major overhaul promising a 50% jump in bus services with new routes and round-the-clock options. Earlier this year, officials pushed back the launch from 2025 or 2026 to sometime in 2027 with no firm date. Yet, the plan includes dedicated bus corridors, cycle lanes, a zero emissions fleet, improved ticketing, and parking ride spots. Key is a cross-city link from University Road to Dublin Road plus upgrades along 3.9 kilometers of existing pass, serving hospitals, universities, and the city center with buses every couple

1:03of minutes at peak times, local reactions highlight the urgency. City Council Director Derek Pender says every junction is overcapacity, and buses stuck in the same jams as cars make public transport unreliable. He hopes construction starts in 12 to 18 months to separate buses, bikes, and cars. After a coalition member, Catholic Lawler agrees, citing surveys of long waits for no shell buses that push people back to driving. Meanwhile, a new park and ride site in Nakhnikar faces the same traffic woes without a bus lane, feeding the cycle of delays. Bus users report mixed experiences like full routes from Conamera, but frequent unreliability overall. These upgrades could boost bus ridership by 25% or more at a cost of around 200 million euros, opening doors for businesses, and residents while easing gridlock for everyone.