Bus times to be halved
The National Road Authority (NTA) yesterday unveiled a €600m investment aimed to drastically improve Cork city’s public transport system and cut bus journeys in half.
The investment in BusConnects Cork, the NTA’s programme of bus service improvement in the Cork metropolitan area, proposes 12 new sustainable transport corridors (STC) designed to significantly improve bus journey times and increase the number of people walking and cycling into the city.
The proposals will mean the loss of some on-street parking, the loss of parts of some gardens and the purchase of some buildings.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan added: “As one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, Cork has a unique opportunity to become a leader in sustainable transport. BusConnects Cork is key to making public transport and active travel a viable option for people and communities across the city.”
The proposals, if implemented, will feature:
- 54kms of new cycling and walking infrastructure as well as 75kms of new dedicated bus lanes across twelve sustainable transport corridors to the north, south and west of Cork city.
- Bus journey time will be cut in half across most of the twelve proposed corridors.
- A new state-of-the-art ticketing system.
- A cashless payment system.
- Transition to a zero emissions bus fleet.
- A full revamp of the existing fare system.
- Full redesign of existing network of bus routes.
The proposed STCs will have continuous bus priority with dedicated bus lanes going in both directions with an aim to remove delays currently experienced across Cork’s bus network.
Currently, there are only 14km of bus lanes provided in Cork city. Under the proposed STCs, there will be approximately 75km of new bus lanes.
Along these corridors, the NTA intends to provide segregated cycle tracks in each direction, separated as far as is practically possible from traffic.
The 12 proposed corridors in the STC system are:
- Dunkettle to city centre
- Mayfield to city centre
- Blackpool to city centre
- Hollyhill to city centre
- Ballincollig to city centre
- Bishopstown to city centre
- Togher to city centre
- Airport Road to city centre
- Maryborough Hill to city centre
- Mahon to city centre
- Kinsale Road to Douglas
- Sunday’s Well to Hollyhill
The NTA has confirmed that a more detailed set of proposals will be published for an initial public consultation during June. This will include extensive engagement through which the public can provide feedback, insights and local knowledge regarding the proposals.
A series of community forums will be established to fully engage people and groups at a local level for each corridor and surrounding area.
Commenting on yesterday afternoon’s announcement, Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council said: “Today’s investment by the NTA in BusConnects Cork is a vote of confidence in our city and our ambitious plans to make Cork a better and more sustainable place to live, work, visit and invest in.
“The provision of 75kms of bus lanes and 54kms in cycling and walking infrastructure will help to meet the increase in demand for travel within the city while reducing the dependency on the car.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “A clean, modern and reliable public transport system can help unlock Cork’s potential as a connected and competitive European city.
“With a 51 per cent increase in the numbers taking the bus in just six years, there is a rapidly growing demand for bus services and the need for modern infrastructure to support Cork’s growth.
“Today’s report is the first step in creating a more sustainable future for Cork. In June, we will be engaging with commuters, residents and businesses to hear their views about the proposals we have put forward,” she said.
For more information, visit busconnects.ie/cork/.