The over-commercialisation of public transport is responsible for the loss of a major national transport route serving the Shannonside region, according to the National Bus and Rail Union.
Bus Eireann's Dublin to Galway Expressway service that has stops in Athlone and Ballinasloe, is to come to an end on Wednesday as part of cost saving measures to support other routes.
The move announced last year, has generated major criticism from service users, members of the public and union reps.
Senior Representative for the NBRU, Tom O'Connor says private operators are being allowed cherry-pick profitable routes across the country, leaving the others behind:
Transport company Aircoach has announced a new service covering the former Bus Éireann Route 20 and 20x to begin this week.
While the new private service will not cover the full area of the previous route, Aircoach has confirmed they are open to adjusting stops should demand warrant it.
Managing Director of Aircoach, Dervla McKay says it's not their place to apologise for Bus Éireann's decision to cancel the route:
