Call for rethink on expansion of phase two of Western Rail Corridor

Galway Bay fm newsroom – There are calls for a rethink of any plan to expand the Western Rail Corridor.
It comes as a report examining the use of the Athenry to Ennis rail link has found that over 102 thousand passengers used the service in 2015.
The results of the comprehensive CICERO survey were launched at Ireland West Airport Knock this week.
Its findings show that phase one of the Western Rail Corridor has now met a business case which set out a target of 100 thousand passengers or more for the section.
Campaign group ‘West on Track’ has argued that an expansion onto phase two into Claremorris would provide an economic boost to the wider western region and further investment is needed.
However, Tuam area Independent councillor Shaun Cunniffe says the Athenry to Ennis section carries a cost of 12 million euro per year and is a waste of money.
He says investing that money in a rural bus service would be a better use of scarce funds.