Written answer
Bus Services
The Minister referred BusConnects Cork details to the NTA; planning applications are expected later this year, with network rollout phased subject to funding.
167. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the three BusConnects Cork sustainable transport corridor schemes approved by Government, including the date on which the planning application for each scheme was or is due to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála; the date on which the redesigned Cork bus network will commence operation; the additional fleet and driver numbers required to deliver the planned increase in service levels and the number recruited to date; and the current estimated capital cost of the programme. [67466/26]
Comment on this
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Cork
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office, if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Pending a more detailed response, I note the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, which was published by my Department in November last year, has allocated funding to progress BusConnects across the cities. The NTA will publish a more detailed plan later this year of what elements of the programme will be advanced within the funding available up to 2030.
As the Deputy may be aware, I secured Cabinet approval for BusConnects Cork at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines in October 2025. The programme will provide for a total of 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors, delivering approximately 90km of bus lane and bus priority measures to improve bus system efficiency, as well as 95km of cycle lanes. The NTA is currently preparing the required documentation and expect to submit planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year.
Following public consultation, the new BusConnects Cork network was published in June 2022, and it aims to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be implemented on a phased basis in the coming years, subject to funding.