Bus Éireann has announced it will discontinue three of its Expressway routes starting Sunday, 24 May.
The routes set to be withdrawn are Waterford to Dublin/Dublin Airport (Route 4), Rosslare/Wexford to Waterford (Route 40 Segment), and Ballina to Galway (Route 52), reports RTE.
The company stated that “significant” financial losses on these routes have driven the decision.
The National Transport Authority has been informed of the development, reports RTE.
Previously operating 12 times daily, Route 4 had been described by Bus Éireann as a “key” service for the southeast region.
The Dublin to Waterford route also serves areas in Carlow and Kilkenny, reports RTE.
A Bus Éireann spokesperson said Expressway operates as a “commercial service, which receives no State subvention.”
“The measures announced are in response to the continuous significant losses being incurred on these services, reports RTE.
“While disappointing, it is clearly unsustainable for a commercial operation.
“The decision to consolidate our Expressway network and withdraw from a small number of routes is aimed at safeguarding the Expressway network, reports RTE.
“Given the scale of our operations, there will be no impact on jobs given our current recruitment needs.
“Any customer who has a pre-booked journey on any of the impacted services will be contacted and provided with a full refund,” the spokesperson added, reports RTE.
At present, Route 40 runs between Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford and Tralee in Co Kerry.
Under the planned changes effective 24 May, the service will no longer stop at Rosslare Europort, Wexford town, New Ross, or Ferrybank, reports RTE.
However, Route 40 will continue to operate between Waterford and Tralee.
With six daily departures from both Ballina and Galway, Route 52—also set to be discontinued—serves Foxford, Castlebar, Claremorris, and Tuam, reports RTE.
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