A cross country bus route serving the Shannonside region is to be withdrawn next month. The Aircoach 706 and 706x service between Galway and Dublin is to cease operation on the 8th of April. The service stops in Athlone and Ballinasloe multiple times a day in each direction.
According to Aircoach, the route is to be axed as it has not proven to be financially viable. The move leaves private transport company CityLink as the last bus service linking Galway and Dublin through the Shannonside region. Local youth activist Sam Brooks says the decision is another blow to rural communities:
The following statement has been released by Aircoach:
"Aircoach, Ireland’s leading private bus and coach operator, intends to exit the Dublin/Galway route corridor effective April 8th at 00.00hrs.
The termination of the 706/706X route will include the terminus point at Galway Coach Station and all intermediary stops between Galway and Dublin Airport.
Aircoach extended its route network when it launched the 706/X route in July 2021. However the route as it exists today has not proven to be commercially viable.
Aircoach is deeply committed to providing an All-Ireland transport connection and therefore fully expects to return to the West of Ireland.
Kim Swan, Managing Director for Aircoach, said: “It is with regret that we intend to exit the Dublin to Galway route in its current form. We are committed to providing a passenger transport service into the West of Ireland and are exploring customer focused and commercially viable opportunities to facilitate this. In the meantime, we wish to express our gratitude to all our valued customers, dedicated employees and relevant stakeholders who enable the daily functioning of this route”.
Customers with existing bookings to travel on April 8th or thereafter, will be individually contacted by Customer services. Alternative travel options provided by competitors are available along this route."
