Transport Minister, Martin Cullen TD was in Galway today (Thursday 22 February 2007) where he announced details, together with CIÉ Chairman Dr. John Lynch, of a CIÉ proposal for the development and expansion of Galway's Ceannt Railway Station and for improvements in both Irish Rail and Bus Éireann services in the Galway area.

The redevelopment of Ceannt Station proposes developing the 5.7 hectare CIÉ station site, with the aim of delivering a new urban city quarter for Galway - Ceannt Station Quarter. A transport interchange is an integral part of the suggested €1 billion investment programme with plans to develop three full-length platforms (allowing for intercity and commuter service expansion); 25 dedicated bus bays, and enhanced car parking facilities (for public transport users). Eight hundred residential units, including social and affordable housing are also part of the city quarter plan.  Cultural and community facilities also form part of the scheme.

Speaking today about the proposed plan for the new station quarter, Minister Martin Cullen TD said: "The new, expanded and integrated transport facilities envisaged in the CIÉ plan will support much improved public transport services in terms of capacity and ease of use.  Good quality facilities of the type proposed are essential to attract more users to public transport".

Minister Cullen also said: "It will be important in developing and taking forward the planning proposals outlined here today, that CIÉ consult widely with local and regional authorities and development interests to ensure that the proposed redevelopment of the station integrates well with local and regional development plans".

In relation to rail provision, seven Iarnród Éireann services operate each way between Galway and Dublin each weekday. Passenger numbers on the route have grown to 1.5m in 2006. Services are set to improve with 150 new Government-funded rail cars due to arrive in Ireland from Korea in March. Minister Cullen said: "The entry into service of these new rail cars over 2007 and 2008 (serving all the main intercity routes) will enable Iarnród Éireann to increase services on the Galway/Dublin line to 10 per day with hourly services at peak time and two-hourly services off peak".

In relation to bus services, Bus Éireann currently operates a fleet of 120 vehicles in Galway including 50 school buses. The Galway fleet provides a range of city, local and expressway services to the city and surrounding areas.

Speaking about Bus Éireann's plans for the coming years, which involve extending the fleet and improving the routes, Minister Cullen said: "The Bus Éireann proposals are certainly ambitious and I welcome this ambition - involving the purchase of a total of 54 buses over the three-year period 2007-2009. The proposals for this time frame also involve an increase of passengers to 5.3 million; new and more frequent services; automated and integrated ticketing and greater incorporation with rail, air and taxi. Exchequer funding has, I am glad to say, under Transport 21, already been approved for some of the new buses proposed by Bus Éireann as part of the funding package of €50 million approved by Government last September for expansion of the company's services.  To meet this ambitious three-year target, 15 new vehicles have already been allocated for the Galway area to immediately expand the fleet". 

The Transport Minister complimented Galway City Council on its progress in the development of bus priority measures in the City - through the Council's Galway Bus Strategy. The Department of Transport provided funding for the development of the Strategy. 

Also in Galway, Minister Cullen viewed a 'bus tram' supplied by Bus Éireann. The company is currently examining the potential for the introduction in cities, of 'BRT' (Bus Rapid Transit), a system of "bus trams" or "streetcars" popular in the US, Canada and in a number of European cities.  Bus trams can operate on ordinary road space and are capable of running on alternative, more environmentally friendly fuels.

Issued by: Michelle Hoctor, 087 8563070

                  Veronica Scanlan, 087 6430622