Galway ferry service mooted

A ferry service linking Ballyvaughan and Galway City “requires an ongoing subsidy in order to operate successfully”, a feasibility study has shown.

However, it also said that the provision of such a service would fill a gap in transport connections between North County Clare and Galway and recommended operating a pilot service to “enable a clearer picture on potential demand to be formed”.
The study, conducted by the Spyria Partnership, was commissioned by Ballyvaughan Community Group to assess the demand for a passenger ferry service for visitors and commuters.
A survey of residents in County Clare and subsequent analysis concluded there could be demand in the region of 12.5 passengers per day making a trip to Galway based on a fare price for a single trip of €11.
“While the estimated number of potential users is small – it would be sufficient in terms of running a viable service if these individuals were to use the ferry service on a regular basis,” according to the feasibility study.
The study also found that “the ferry service offers quicker and more reliable journeys than travelling by car, particularly during congested periods, for people travelling to the city centre and within walking distance of the city centre.”
Once-off infrastructure construction costs for such a project would be in the region of €138,000, with operating costs estimated to range from €105,000 to €112,000 per annum, depending on the vessel.
According to the study, a feeder bus service dedicated to providing regular and reliable connections to the ferry service would mimimise problems with transport connections. If this were to be the case, a contract with an established taxi company would likely cost in the region of €10,000.
The study concluded that the provision of a passenger ferry service “will fill a gap in transport connections between North County Clare and Galway, providing timely and generally reliable transport connections that will complete favourably with the (limited) public transport alternative and car journeys at present.”It also found that there was strong support among local residents for the concept “although a significant minority of respondents to the survey felt that the service would not be viable, in the main due to operational difficulties”.
“Analysis has shown there to be adequate demand for the service with the appropriate vessel choice. However, uptake of the service is predicated on offering the service at a competitive tariff (and with dedicated and focused marketing), which will necessitate that the service requires an ongoing subsidy in order to operate successfully,” the study concluded.
A meeting will take place for people interested in the project on Monday, November 21 at 8.30pm in St John’s Hall, Ballyvaughan.