As many as five key service updates have been confirmed as part of the much anticipated BusConnects Cork project.
By the time it is completed, it is estimated that an extra 13,000 commuters will be able to travel from their to Cork City within 30 minutes.
The Bus Connects services will mostly serve the Cork North Central area, key locations including, Blackpool, Blarney Business Park, Knocknaheeny, Glanmire and more. A number of other routes are to start up in 2027, including the following:
This will undoubtedly provide a huge boost for Cork buses, with figures showing that most people still are not using public transport, with recent data showing that only 46,436 (22%) of 211,367 people travelling to Leeside from 7am-7pm used sustainable modes of travel, like cycling, walking, bus and rail, according to the latest City Cordon Report data, mentioned in CorkBeo.
This update has been welcomed with open arms by Ken O'Flynn, TD for Cork North Central, but he did warn that it comes with "a catch", writing on social media: "Four of those five routes serve communities in Cork North Central. I'm particularly glad to see Blarney Business Park included, because I have been raising it directly with people working and living in the area".
"But there is a catch. The NTA has told me none of this is guaranteed until the 2027 PSO funding is confirmed in the Budget. Northside communities have waited long enough for a proper bus service, and I will be holding the Government to account to make sure the money is there to deliver it on time".
"If you have questions about how the new routes affect you, get in touch with my office".
Elsewhere, delays in other much needed bus routes has left many people frustrated, including Cork North West TD, John Paul O'Shea, who mentioned the long awaited 515 route, which would link Mallow and Killarney, which has not started yet.
Along with linking North Cork to Kerry, the route would also link communities such as Ballyclough, Castlemagner, Kanturk, Boherbue, Knocknagree, Rathmore, Gneeveguilla and Kilcummin together.
Sharing his frustrations at this route's delay, Mr O'Shea, said he is "bitterly disappointed" that it has not started yet, saying: "When this service was announced last November, communities across Cork North-West and into Kerry were rightly very positive about the potential it would bring.
“Almost a year on, people are still waiting. The communities along this route need action, not just announcements. This is particularly frustrating given the importance of connecting rural communities with Mallow and Killarney for work, education, healthcare, shopping and other essential services", he added.
“I have been raising this issue with the NTA and will continue to press for a clear timeline for the commencement of Route 515. If funding and resources remain the barrier, then this needs to be addressed as a matter of priority".
Mr O'Shea went on to say that this upcoming Budget must leave sufficient funding for the Route 515, and ensure that other planned rural public transport improvements are also enhanced.
"I will continue to engage with the NTA and the Minister to ensure that the necessary funding and resources are put in place and that we see real progress on Route 515 and other rural transport services across our region", Teachta O'Shea added. (All quotes in this piece according to CorkBeo).
