Transport

University of Galway is committed to sustainable transportation planning and implementing, and continuously improving and promoting sustainable transportation opportunities and programmes for the campus community. See some of our sustainable transport initiatives below.

Photo by Prof. Chaosheng Zhang

Why is this important? 

Unsustainable transport and travel patterns have major negative impacts on human health and the environment. Increased reliance on single-occupancy vehicles is leading to localised traffic pollution and congestion, higher levels of obesity and continued dependence on imported fossil fuels.

2022 Travel Survey

The 2022 Travel Survey revealed that on average, our staff travel further to campus, with 72% of them using a motor car (a lack of alternatives and other commitments are the most significant determinants). In general, our students live closer and 59% of them use active transport (walking, cycling). Active travel mode falls steeply with distance of commute. For students that drive a car, a lack of alternatives and quickest commute time are cited as the more significant determinants. The total percentage of students that use more sustainable commuting options is 83% compared to 42% for staff. Greater than 50% of both cohorts were open to changing to public transport or cycling.

We aim to:

• increase staff and student active travel and public transport use
• reduce staff and student car use
• improve the health and wellbeing of staff and students
• reduce the impact of University travel on the City's road network i.e.
  traffic congestion
• off-site car parking in the locality of the University
• support the University's Green Flag aspirations

National Transport Authority -  Smarter Travel Campus 

Galway City Bike sharing scheme

University of Galway participates in the Galway City Bike sharing scheme with three stations located on campus. Coca-Cola Zero® Bike stations are located throughout the city of Galway to provide a healthy and convenient means of transport.

Bicycle parking on campus

There are covered and uncovered, secure and unsecure cycle racks throughout the campus. Cycle racks are mostly monitored by CCTV. However, cyclists are strongly encouraged to ensure that they lock their bicycle appropriately with a strong lock.

The University of Galway recently installed new accessible bike shelters on campus to make sustainable travel easier for people with impaired mobility and families.

See our Cycling Facilities Map for the locations of the bike parking areas on campus.

An Mheitheal Rothar

An Mheitheal Rothar are a bicycle cooperative established by University of Galway students on campus, offering staff and students affordable bicycles and maintenance training (both free and paid). University of Galway house the cooperative and provide it with workshops and stores on campus. Most bicycles sold are recycled, reused and repaired:

A free cycle clinic is offered to staff and students. The public workshops are currently held from 6-9pm on Wednesdays and 12-3pm on Fridays. These are open to the general public.

Electric vehicle parking spaces & GoCars

Electric Vehicle charging spaces are located close to key buildings with high staff profile.

University of Galway collaborate with GoCars, so that GoCars are parked on campus offering staff and students the use of efficient cars whose embodied energy is shared. GoCars are hired by the hour and therefore provide students and staff with a user friendly, efficient mode of transport. GoCar allows you to rent cars for as little as half an hour, using a booking system to reserve the vehicle and in-car technology to unlock the car and drive. Electric vehicle charging spaces as of 2020 and growing campus wide. There are a number of charging points that are also adjacent to the campus offering fast charging.

Cycle to Work Scheme

The Cycle to Work scheme is a tax incentive which aims to encourage employees to cycle to and from work. The scheme allows employees to purchase a bicycle and associated equipment tax free up to the value of €1,250 for a bicycle, €1,500 for an e-bike, and €3,000 for a cargo bike. Employees can avail of the scheme once in a four-year period, which applies even if you do not purchase equipment up to the applicable limit. The tax year in which the bicycle or equipment is provided counts as the first year, so if you used the scheme in 2023 (regardless of the month) you would be entitled to the relief again during 2027 (from January).

Find out more and apply.

Cycling facilities

The secure bicycle compound (see the Cycling Facilities map for location) is located to the west of the Arts Science Building. Anyone with a valid in date student / staff University ID card can access the compound. As part of ongoing improvements to cycle facilities, additional covered bicycle racks have been installed in several places around campus.

Showers for cyclists are available in various buildings (see the Cycling Facilities map for locations).

Accessibility and pedestrian priority

University of Galway is committed to improving accessibility and removing barriers for people with disabilities. The Blue Dots Route helps you navigate a north-south line through the majority of the campus, a route that is as accessible as possible. Details of the Blue Dots Route is on the Campus Map on our Maps page.

Recent projects include:

• The closure of Quincentennial Bridge underpass to car traffic thereby improving accessibility and larger volumes of pedestrian flow.
• Improvement of accessibility and pedestrian infrastructure around the Quadrangle (see here).

The Walking Times Map shows the approx. walk time in minutes from locations around the city.

Travel Pass Scheme

The Travel Pass scheme is seen as a positive way to encourage more people to avail of public transport in Ireland and to reduce traffic congestion, and allows for the purchase of annual bus, rail and luas tickets through University of Galway, with a saving of up to 52% on travel costs. Employees who wish to take part in the Travel Pass scheme must select the ticket type best suited to their needs; there is no limit on the cost of a Travel Pass.

Find out more and apply.

Park & Ride Scheme

The Park and Ride car park is located in North Campus (to the northwest of Corrib Village).  It can be accessed via the entrance to Corrib Village, off the Upper Newcastle Road. Opening hours are from 0600 to 2300 on weekdays only. The spaces in the Park and Ride are for staff and students only, but the Pay and Display/Pay by Phone spaces are available for visitors if they purchase a ticket from the nearby machine or online via the app (apcoaconnect). To exit the carpark, drive up to the exit barrier which will automatically rise. 

Park and Ride timetable.

Sustainable business travel

University of Galway business travel accounts for approximately 4 tCO2e each year. This is roughly 10% of the University's total carbon footprint and is larger than the footprint of our electricity consumption. University Policy QA302 (available here) supports a sustainable travel approach which should consider the environmental impacts of travel and using lower-carbon methods of transport where possible and minimise the overall number of journeys to reduce carbon emissions. 

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