Jamie Smyth,

Technology Reporter

The flamboyant Galway-based entrepreneur, Mr Declan Ganley, plans to launch an executive limousine service called Capital Route in 26 cities across Europe.

The company launched its luxury limousine service this week in London with a fleet of 15 cars and plans to create a fleet of 200 cars in the future.

Mr Ganley, who is well known in the technology industry, said yesterday more than €2 million has been invested in setting up Capital Route to date. But overall investment in the venture would probably be up to €15 million.

He said Capital Route had an arrangement with the British leasing firm Lombard and the Royal Bank of Scotland to help finance the limousine business.

"I've been doing business in Europe since the 1980s and my experience showed me that often the weakest link is not air transportation, but when you get to the other end of a journey," he said.

Capital Route will offer people a high-quality and uniform chauffeur service so they know they will get exactly what they can expect, said Mr Ganley, who is the principal shareholder in the Ganley Group of Companies.

The service will offer business executives a choice of three types of Mercedes limousines, the luxury E and S type models, and the V class people carrier.

It will also offer an internet booking facility and customers can avail of technology facilities in the cars.

Mr Ganley was involved in an unsuccessful bid for the second Irish mobile phone licence.

He also challenged the award of wireless broadband licences by the regulator in the High Court.