The Case for Light Rail in Galway: Why Campaigners Say Galway Must Act

The group behind Galway's proposed light rail system says the city risks falling further behind unless local authorities support a route options study that could pave the way for a future tram network.

Published 18th Jul 2026, 19:33 BST Connacht Tribune The group behind Galway's proposed light rail system says the city risks falling further behind unless local authorities support a route options study that could pave the way for a future tram network. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

The Galway Light Rail (GLUAS) team is calling for support from both Galway City and County Councils to progress the project and has requested a route options study as the next step toward developing a future light rail system.

Earlier this month, members of the campaign group met officials from Galway County Council to seek support for the study, which would be undertaken by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Our generation is condemning your generation to a life of misery.

Campaigners say public backing from both Galway City and County Councils is crucial to progressing plans for a tram network.

"The purpose of the meeting was to engage with the council executive in relation to having the NTA carry out a route options study to identify an Emerging Preferred Route (EPR),” a GLUAS spokesperson said.

“Having already gained the support of Galway City Council for this proposal, we are appealing directly to Galway County Council for their public support in order to allow the NTA initiate the route options study.”

They have also requested that Galway County Council include light rail in the next Draft County Development Plan.

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The study would examine possible routes through Galway before identifying an Emerging Preferred Route (EPR), including potential lines and station locations.

In October 2024, the NTA published a Galway Light Rail Transit Feasibility Study Report which showed a case for developing a light rail system in Galway.

"We need the City and County council to publicly support our efforts," said GLUAS chair Brendan Holland.

"Our concentration now is to get a study done on the Emerging Preferred Route. We have been trying to do that for five years."

Mr Holland argued that the continued focus on the proposed Galway City Ring Road had diverted attention away from the light rail project.

He warned that Galway risked missing an opportunity if investment in public transport continued to be delayed.

"It is madness," he said. "Our generation is condemning your generation to a life of misery. I am 25 years at this.

“I am not against the outer ring road but it is a huge hammer to crack a small nut. It won't cater to the vast majority of people.

"What I can't understand is why the council officials are putting 99% effort into 3% of the solution - the wrongly named Ring Road, when GLUAS conservatively could cater for 70% of the solution.”

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Mr Holland also pointed to a new report showing Galway was the 71st most congested city in the world, with motorists losing an average of 62 hours to traffic in 2025, although that figure was down 7% on the previous year.

The report, by US transport analytics company Inrix, analysed 942 urban areas across 36 countries using observed traffic data.

The light rail group is also calling on both councils to support the inclusion of GLUAS in the Northern and Western Regional Assembly's (NWRA) Draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), due to be published by the end of 2026.

In May, senior management at Galway City Council met the GLUAS committee to discuss the group's request that light rail be included in the council's submission.

"This was crucial as this is planning for the future," said Mr Holland.

At last month's meeting of Galway City Council, Director of Services Derek Pender said the project would instead be considered through the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), the new long-term transport plan for Galway.

A draft of the strategy is expected to go to public consultation early next year, with the final document due in 2027.

"This was not the answer to the question asked," continued Mr Holland.

"The question we asked was why GLUAS was not included in RSES submission. All we want from the Council is their simple 'yes' - we support you.

"The NTA who have indicated to us they are in favour of light rail for Galway and will be responsible for all this.

"A simple show of support is what we need from the council."

In response, Galway City Council said it welcomed the progression of GMATS by the National Transport Authority, which includes consideration of light rail as part of Galway's future transport network.

It said it supports further research into the proposal through GMATS and supports including research on light rail in both the City Development Plan and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

Mayor of Galway Cllr Helen Ogbu (Lab) said that light rail “may play a role in the sustainable transport mix for Galway City in future.”

Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, said the east-west corridor identified in the 2024 feasibility study “would be likely to have the strongest potential for light rail”.

“While these route options are preliminary, and would need to be explored further, they are insightful in terms of potential options to tackle congestion and deliver sustainable development in the Galway Metropolitan Area, as part of a wider strategy encompassing active travel, public transport, roads and demand management measures,” he said.

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