Carpooling idea for Seamus Quirke Road bus lanes shot down

A proposal for a carpooling system to be introduced on the Seamus Quirke Road bus lanes has been shot down before it even comes before Galway City Council.

Newly-elected Fine Gael councillor Pearce Flannery told a meeting of the local authority last week he intends to put forward a motion which would see cars with three or more occupants allowed to use the bus lanes during peak morning and evening traffic.

However, legislation implemented by the National Transport Authority (NTA) precludes the bus lanes from being used for private vehicles.

Cllr Flannery explained he has a background as a senior adviser with the motor industry in Ireland, and that carpooling works in other countries around Europe and the United States.

“It’s how I made my living, I’ve done a lot of work in this area. There are sporadic buses on the road, and the reality is that public transport does not suit everybody.

“My proposal is that any car with three or more occupants would be allowed use bus lanes during peak hours in the morning and evening. That would see the number of cars on the road reduced and also speed up traffic flow on the other lanes.

“There should be a six month trial to test out the situation – this works in many other cities around the world.

“It certainly wouldn’t slow-up buses. If we could get the philosophy of carpooling on the agenda, I believe it could be a huge success,” said Cllr Flannery.

A spokesperson for the City Council said it would not be appropriate to comment on a motion that has not yet been submitted to the Council.

However, during the construction of the €16.8m bus corridor scheme on the Seamus Quirke Road, several councillors suggested carpooling and were told the NTA precluded any vehicles other than buses and taxis using bus lanes.