€200m Light Rail Plan To Be Unveiled

Date Published: 05-Sep-2008

THE backers of a proposed €200 million light rail system for the city are set to make the case for a radical overhaul of the city’s transportation infrastructure when they address a meeting of Galway City Council on Monday.

Although the current economic downturn might signal bad news for the GLUAS (light rail for Galway) campaign, the group behind the project believe that it could be funded through a public-private partnership, tax incentives, and VAT refunds, if direct State funding is not available.

On Monday, GLUAS Chairman Brendan Holland is set to produce a series of 3-D graphics at City Hall, while highlighting the differences between the proposed electric train service and the heavier (and more expensive) Luas system in Dublin.

He will tell councillors that the network could be up and running in just three years if the Government provided backing for a plan which would radically eradicate the city’s traffic problems.

“We are hoping to make a case which will get the City Councillors on our side,” said Mr Holland yesterday. “This could be funded through tax incentives and VAT refunds. The Government could get a great deal by granting us…

See related article page 1 of Galway City Tribune.