"No plans" to scrap rural commuter bus service

By JACQUELINE HOGGE BUS Eireann has moved to quash rumours that a daily commuter service between Tuam and Galway, which serves rural areas, is to be discontinued as of next week. Speculation has mounted that the service, which collects passengers in Ballin­derry and Corofin each morning, was being cancelled.[private] Outgoing Galway East TD Paul Connaughton said several concerned users of the service had contacted him calling for him to intervene. 'This is a vital service for people living off the N17 who travel in and out of Galway to work every day,' he said. 'My understanding is that by the time the bus reached Galway it had up to 30 passengers on board which suggests it is a viable route. 'It only began last year but since then it has provided a huge convenience for rural communities and if it is taken away a large number of people will be forced back into their cars and the daily torture that is traffic on the N17. 'These people were told last week that as of next week the bus service would no longer be running and I would like to know why.' Denial However, Bus Éireann Services Manager Ray Mc ­Donagh denied the service was under threat. 'I have no idea where these rumours have come from but I can assure passengers they are totally unfounded,' he said. 'We have no plans to cancel this service.'[/private]