Growing Erris concerns over threat to Bus Eireann service

THE chairman of Belmullet Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceantair Sean Carey has expressed deep concern at the threatened loss of the route 52 bus from Galway to Ballina that services Belmullet and north Mayo via a connecting service.

Mr. Carey stated: "There has been growing speculation that the Bus Eireann 52 route from Ballina to Galway will be stopped or significantly altered and this has really concerned the people of Belmullet and the wider Erris area that rely on this route to go to and from Galway for their hospital appointments.

"If route 52 goes the only other option for people in Belmullet and the wider Erris area is the 456 route which is not an expressway service and operates on a much lower level than the 52 service. Also if the route is substantially altered and it no longer makes the connecting evening bus in Ballina to north Mayo, then it will be of no use.” he continued.

“I have been contacted by a number of concerned people who are looking for answers on this. Quite simply put - removing or reducing the route 52 Bus Eireann service will mean people who are trying to get to Galway for their hospital appointments will have to find another way to get there or pay for a B&B overnight in Galway if they can't make the connecting bus in Ballina. Surely the least we can do for people is provide a bus service that allows them to get to their hospital appointments." he added.