Bus Eireann's plan to cut Athlone - Westport route

The bus route between Athlone and Westport - which also serves Ireland West Airport in Knock - could be scrapped as part of a cost-saving plan outlined by management at Bus Eireann.

The twice-daily service includes stops at Athlone IT, Kiltoom, Knockcroghery, and Ballymurray as well as several areas in counties Roscommon and Mayo, including Roscommon town, Castlerea, Knock airport, and Castlebar.

The route’s future has been in jeopardy for some time. In late 2014, the company ran a ‘use it or lose it’ promotion for the route and it subsequently described the response from the public as “quite poor”.

On Monday, the Irish Times reported that Bus Eireann’s management had prepared a cost cutting plan which included major changes to staff earnings, work practices, and the closure of some routes.

The company said closing routes from Athlone to Westport, Dublin to Clonmel, and Dublin to Derry would save €1.1 million.

Bus Eireann is in talks with unions at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this week.

When asked about the possible closure of the Athlone - Westport route, a company spokesperson said: “Bus Éireann have due regard to the current WRC process, and have no comment while this is ongoing.”

Independent Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice said he would strongly oppose the closure of any bus route serving rural areas.

“Any closure of rural bus routes must be resisted by public representatives in rural Ireland and in the West in particular,” said Deputy Fitzmaurice.

“If the National Transport Authority has to revert to subvention to keep these routes open, then so be it. I am calling on all public representatives, senators, and TDs in rural Ireland, and in the West in particular, to support the call that there be no bus route closures.”

He said he would be raising the matter with his former Independent Alliance colleague, Transport Minister Shane Ross, “as a matter of urgency.”

“We cannot stand idly by and allow another attack on services in rural Ireland to take place,” concluded Deputy Fitzmaurice.