Athlone worker's 'SOS' appeal shows impact of Aircoach route closure

An 'SOS' notice posted by a member of staff at an Athlone workplace has shown the impact which the closure of the local Aircoach bus service is having on those who previously depended on it.

Aircoach ended its 706 and 706X services between Galway and Dublin on April 8. The ten daily services in each direction along this route all served Athlone, while four daily services also stopped in Ballinasloe.

Since the service ended, a worker at a multinational company's premises in Athlone put up a poster which read:

"SOS. Dear colleagues, The bus I normally use to get to work has stopped travelling the Ballinasloe to Athlone route. Can you help me?

"I need a lift from Ballinasloe to (company name in) Athlone. If you have a free seat (car share) you could offer me, I would be very grateful. I will, of course, support you with the relevant petrol costs."

The person who shared this poster with the Westmeath Independent said it was one of several similar notices that had gone on display at the same workplace in the last few weeks.

"People are unable to afford to live in Athlone, so they look elsewhere, and now their bus is gone!" our contact added.

The Aircoach service through Athlone and Ballinasloe came into effect in 2021, after Bus Éireann controversially announced it was withdrawing its Galway to Dublin services.

Yesterday, it emerged that the National Transport Authority is not recommending any State intervention to replace the lost Aircoach service. (SEE STORY HERE).