Petition launched calling for return of axed bus routes serving Athlone

Sinn Féin has launched a petition urging Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to restore Bus Éireann's 20 and X20 Expressway routes which connected Athlone with Galway and Dublin.

The long-established services were axed yesterday (Wednesday) as part of a cost-saving decision taken by the semi-State bus company.

It means that only private companies, such as Citylink and Aircoach, are operating buses on the Dublin to Galway route.

Sinn Féin announced this morning (Thursday) that it had set up an online petition calling on Minister Ryan to restore the services.

The petition is supported by the party's representatives from the affected counties, including Longford/Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke and Roscommon/Galway TD Claire Kerrane.

"The decision to cancel the service is wrong and devastating for the communities affected. This service is a lifeline for so many people and their main form of transport to and from other parts of the country, in particular the cities of Dublin and Galway," said Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke.

"This is a popular route passing through towns with high demand for public transport and it is disgraceful that this service has been ended," he added.

"It is particularly shocking that the ending of this service was overseen by a Green Party Transport Minister, who should be increasing sustainable modes of transport, not cutting them."

The petition, which at the time of writing had almost 400 signatures, can be found here.

Anthony Keane, the Athlone-based secretary of the Longford/Westmeath branch of the Social Democrats, also issued a statement in opposition to Bus Éireann's decision.

"The Longford/Westmeath branch of the Social Democrats has protested the decision by Bus Éireann to axe the 20 and 20X routes which run from Dublin to Galway and service many towns in the Midlands, including Athlone, Moate, Kilbeggan, and Kinnegad," said the statement from the party's local branch.

"The decision to get rid of the bus routes reflects a constant derogation of responsibility on the part of Bus Éireann towards rural Ireland.

"Over the last ten years these services have been chipped away at, with stops removed and operating hours reduced regularly.

"With the cancellation of these routes, many people who need them for work, for hospital appointments, for study, and for other reasons will be left stranded," it stated.