We call on Minister Eamon Ryan to intervene and ensure that the Bus Éireann Galway-Dublin 20-X20 Expressway service is restored urgently. 

The 20-X20 is a vital service which caters for passengers from Counties:

• Galway (Galway City, Craughwell, Loughrea, Aughrim & Ballinasloe),
• Westmeath (Athlone, Moate, Kilbeggan, Kinnegad),
• Meath (Enfield),
• Kildare (Maynooth) 
• Dublin.

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.

Anybody who has travelled on the 20-X20 knows that it is a popular route passing through towns with high demand for public transport and it is disgraceful that this service has been ended. Reduced passenger numbers during the pandemic is not an acceptable excuse and does not take into account the fact that demand for bus services would have increased significantly in the coming weeks and months now that the country is beginning to open up again. Regardless, public transport does not exist simply to turn a profit but to benefit the people that use it.

Many people will now have to find an alternative way of commuting, and many will be forced to rely on private bus operators. This will particularly inconvenience elderly passengers as certain operators do not accept free travel passes and require online booking. That people will now have to rely on private operators is an abdication of responsibility from Government who have a duty to provide adequate public services to the people of Ireland, including those of us who live in rural communities. Their policy of cutting public bus routes and leaving provision to private operators is totally unsustainable.

The new private Aircoach 706x service is not a replacement for the Bus Éireann Expressway routes, as it does not stop at Craughwell, Loughrea, Aughrim, Moate, Kilbeggan, Kinnegad and Enfield, while it leaves Ballinasloe, Athlone and Maynooth with less frequent services.

Due to policies of successive Governments in this state, we have seen public services stripped away from rural communities, including Post Offices, Garda Stations and local health and education services. The loss of these bus services will be a further blow to rural communities across Galway, Westmeath, Meath and Kildare. How can we expect anyone to move back to rural towns and villages when at the same time, basic services are still being taken away?

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. At a time when we are being told to reduce our emissions and use public transport, this decision is another nail in the coffin of rural towns. 

The only feasible solution is for the service to be restored as a matter of urgency and we call on Minister Eamon Ryan, the NTA and Bus Éireann to ensure that this happens urgently.

You can help by signing and sharing this petition. Let's show the Government that we will not accept this decision and will not be treated as second class citizens. Rural communities deserve fairness.

This petition will be presented to Minister Eamon Ryan by Sinn Féin representatives:

• Louis O'Hara (Galway East)
• Mairéad Farrell TD (Galway West)
• Claire Kerrane TD (Roscommon-Galway)
• Sorca Clarke TD (Longford-Westmeath)
• Johnny Guirke TD (Meath West)
• Réada Cronin TD (Kildare North)
• Chris MacManus MEP (Midlands North West)