Ballyvaughan Bay Hop sets sail again

North Clare residents will have the chance to commute to Galway by boat next month after Ballyvaughan Bay Hop announced it is holding another trial from September 2 to 13.

According to the group behind the service, “sailing times should suit students and people working in or near Galway City Centre as the harbour is surprisingly central and accessible to pedestrians.”

The aim of Ballyvaughan Bay Hop is to establish a rural commuter fast ferry service from North Clare to Galway. 
“A fast and frequent ferry service to Galway could improve the quality of life of individuals living in North Clare by offering an alternative means of transport to the bus or private car and it will improve the accessibility of the Burren for tourists based in Galway City,” said Gwen Ryan of Ballyvaughan Bay Hop.

“The objective of running a two-week trial in September is to assess the potential social, environmental and economic impacts a marine passenger service would have on Ballyvaughan and the Burren, and to demonstrate an innovative transport service that could potentially serve rural tourism and provide economic and social sustainability to Ballyvaughan and its environs, a service that integrates nicely with existing local bus, bike rental and hackney services, a healthier, more eco-friendly way of commuting and travelling,” she added.

To encourage people to try out the service it is being offered at a discounted rate to people who book their ticket before August 23. 
The early bird discount is equivalent to the savings that employees can achieve when they purchase travel passes through the taxsaver.ie scheme.  When the service is fully established it is intended that it will be registered with the Revenue’s TaxSaver Commuter Ticket Scheme. To avail of this discount, commuters should email gwen@ballyvaughanbayhop.com for the discount code, stating which part of the city they will be commuting to.

The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark will be supporting this Ballyvaughan Bay Hop trial service and financial assistance is being provided under the TransTourism Project.

Liam O’Brien, of O’Brien Line, will be running the service on behalf of the community in a 12 passenger hard-cabin rib.