Written answer
Bus Services
The NTA’s determination followed Expressway Route 52’s withdrawal, while Citylink added three daily return Galway-Ballina services; the NTA will address capacity and demand concerns.
297. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the number of daily services in each direction on the Ballina to Galway corridor that the National Transport Authority determined would be required following the withdrawal of Expressway Route 52; whether the authority is satisfied that the current level of service on the corridor meets the needs identified in its determination report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65395/26]
Comment on this
298. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has assessed passenger demand and capacity on the Ballina to Galway corridor since the withdrawal of Expressway Route 52 on 24 May 2026; whether reports of passengers being unable to board services due to capacity constraints have been examined; and the measures planned to increase capacity and service frequency on the corridor. [65396/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
Bus Éireann operates both Public Service Obligation services funded by the State subvention and Expressway intercity services which operate on a commercial basis and do not receive any State subvention. I am aware that Bus Éireann recently announced the withdrawal of some services which operate under its Expressway service.
The National Transport Authority are the licencing authority for the commercial bus sector. As is the case with any such commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of these routes triggered the NTA’s Public Service Obligation (PSO) Determination process, the outcome of which has been published on the NTA's website.
Citylink announced in May 2026 that it was granted approval by the NTA to operate five additional daily services across two routes in its network, one of which will include three additional daily return services on the company’s Galway-Ballina route, and two additional daily return services on its Castlebar-Dublin/Dublin Airport route.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.