Huge disappointment in Cong over bus service cancellation

Disappointment in Cong over bus service cancellation


Michael Commins

THE people of the Quiet Man village of Cong has expressed major disappointment with Bus Éireann on its decision to suspend the Cong to Galway route. Business people in the area say the loss of the route will have a major detrimental impact on tourism in the area, especially in the summer season when the village traditionally enjoys a major influx of visitors.
The decision to axe the Galway to Cong route was announced recently as part of a major countrywide overhaul of services by the company. Several other routes in various parts of the country have also been dropped from the schedule as the company implements a major cost-cutting exercise.
Helena Byrne from Danagher’s Hotel in Cong says news of the Bus Éireann decision came as a shock to the people of the Cong region. “There is no doubt at all but that it is a set-back for the tourism business in the Cong area. The service was especially popular with the back-packers and hitch-hikers who came to the hostel in Cong. Most of them would originate in Galway and travel here.
“Many people visiting Galway also availed of the day service to come here and visit the village synonymous with The Quiet Man film. Fans of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and others have been coming here for years. Many of the Americans have availed of the regular bus service from Galway to Cong and back again and this is definitely a loss to the village.
“Apart from that, some local people liked to avail of the service too. It was very handy and reasonable. Many here in Cong believe that the service should, at the very least, be maintained fully during the summer tourism season when demand for it is at its peak. I hope Bus Éireann reverse their decision and restore the service.”
The plans by Bus Éireann to cut the bus route will have a huge effect on the Mayo village and will seriously effect the tourism industry in the area, claims Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony.
“It’s a huge blow to Cong and in particular the tourism industry. The area relies heavily on tourism on a year round basis but particularly during the summer months and this decision is a major body blow.
“When tourists arrive in Galway they expect a public transport service to be available to bring them to somewhere with the history of Cong. I believe that Bus Éireann have lost sight of what their true remit is. It’s about providing a public service to allow people to travel and decisions such as this one is going totally against that remit. I will be contacting Bus Éireann on this matter,” said Deputy O’Mahony.