Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe has promised to look at ways of driving more traffic into the Limerick tunnel and thereby reducing the massive amounts of taxpayers money which is being paid in subventions.
Asked what he plans to do about reducing the €19.5 million which has been paid to the tunnel company in subsidies so far, MInister Donohue – who was on his first official visit to Shannon airport – said he is bound by legal contracts to make up any shortfall in the traffic numbers using the facility.
“I am awaiting a report on the period when HGV’s were allowed free use of the tunnel. I will look at what that has done for revenue and see if some similar scheme can be put in place,” he said.
The Minister also welcomed the new 343 Shannon Link bus service, which is operated with funding from the NTA (National Transport Authority). The new route serves Shannon Airport from Limerick City from 5am to midnight, Monday to Saturday, while also providing 10 services on a Sunday.
