GALWAY City has positioned itself as a front-runner in a competition for funding for a new public transport system, after the Minister for Transport said he was impressed with ground work carried out here.

Minister Noel Dempsey has announced that a nationwide competition to identify a ‘transport city of excellence’ will be held this year, with the winning city or town receiving funding towards the public transport service proposed in their submission.

The competition could see Galway receive funding for a proposed €200 million light rail system or a Bus Rapid Transit plan – the preferred option will be outlined in a Public Transport Feasibility Study due to be published in the coming months.

However, at the launch of details last week, Minister Dempsey expressed his admiration for the ground work for public transport proposals which has been carried out in Galway so far.

“I went to Galway 12 months ago and believe with goodwill on the part of the two local authorities, we could have a project there that will show this is achievable. Galway is an...