Make the Bus in Galway City Timely and Available, Please…

 The bus services in Galway city have been facing considerable delays, causing severe frustration among the regular passengers. I’m an international student at the University of Galway and I frequently travel particularly through 404 and 405 buses operated by Bus Éireann in Galway. Late arrivals are a common issue of these buses, leading to missed appointments and increased journey times. We need a solution to this problem who often take public transports to commute. However, there are numerous factors contribute to these delays, and addressing them by the concerned authority immediately can assist improve the public transport system for the city and give a relief to the travellers.

One of the major causes of bus delays in Galway city is heavy traffic congestion especially in morning and afternoon hours. Galway's roads are often crowded with private vehicles, creating traffic bottlenecks during peak hours. With the city's population growing and more people relying on cars, buses get stuck in the same traffic jams, reducing their efficiency and punctuality. Inadequate bus priority measures, like dedicated bus lanes, further compound the problem, as buses compete with other vehicles for road space.

Another issue is the unpredictability of the buses' schedules. In many bus stops like John Cogan Park and Gaelcarraig Park, especially on routes 404 and 405, there are no posted timetables at the bus stops, leaving passengers uncertain about when the next bus will arrive. Even where schedules are available, the buses often do not adhere to them, adding to the unreliability of the service.

I personally notice in some bus stops people also cannot rely on the time shown on the digital display as the display often change the bus arrival time. Few make joke that those display boards count 100 seconds for a minute. This lack of information can be exasperating, as it prevents commuters from planning their journeys effectively. Absence of timely bus services are causing incredible hardship for passengers who do not own car. The government want us to walk, cycle, take buses whereas we do not get adequate buses in time.

Additionally, long boarding times contribute to delays. Some bus stops, particularly during busy times, have large numbers of passengers waiting to board, which can slow down the service further. A lack of efficient boarding systems, such as multi-door entry or contactless payment, can lead to longer waits at each stop.

Another key issue affecting bus delays and overall commuter experience in Galway is the infrequency and reduced services in weekends. Currently, buses like the 404 only run twice an hour, leaving long gaps between services. This limited frequency means that if a bus is delayed or missed, passengers are left waiting for extended periods, causing significant inconvenience. More frequent buses, especially during peak hours, would alleviate this problem by providing passengers with more flexibility and reducing overcrowding on buses. Increasing the number of buses to at least four per hour would significantly enhance the efficiency of the public transport system, reduce wait times, and improve overall satisfaction among commuters

In Galway, restaurants, café, pubs remain open until 2 AM, but the last bus departs before midnight, leaving late-night commuters and students living in Galway stranded. Introducing late night buses would provide a safe, convenient option for those out late, ensuring public transport caters to the city's nightlife and reducing reliance on expensive taxis.

To improve the public transport system in Galway, several measures can be taken. First, implementing dedicated bus lanes and bus priority signals at key intersections would allow buses to bypass traffic congestion and maintain their schedules. This would significantly reduce delays and make buses a more attractive option for commuters.

Second, providing effective real-time bus tracking and updating the physical timetables at bus stops would help passengers plan their journeys more effectively. Third, improving the boarding process, perhaps by implementing better ticketing solutions, could reduce the time spent at each stop, helping buses to stay on schedule. Finally, by increasing bus frequency and launching late night buses, Galway can significantly improve the reliability and quality of its public transport system, making it more accessible, dependable, efficient and user-friendly for its residents and all the commuters.

Published in The Galway Advertiser on 19 September 2024 on page 24.