Double-decker buses set for CUH 216 route

PASSENGERS travelling between Maryborough and Cork University Hospital will be doing so in double-decker comfort in the new year.

The decision to replace single-decker buses with double-deckers has been welcomed by the Labour Party local election candidate in the Cork City South-East ward Peter Horgan, who urged people to make it their new year’s resolution to use public transport more often.

“People have told me their experiences with public transport, where they have been left at the side of the road, because the single decker is too full by the time it gets to Maryborough Ridge or Douglas village,” said Mr Horgan.

“Ensuring people can get the bus to school and to work is critical to reduce the amount of congestion on our roads, but they need the capacity to get on the bus in the first place.”

Mr Horgan called for a public information campaign by Cork City Council to encourage more use of public transport before Christmas.

“If we have a public transport champion in City Hall, that would make all the difference,” he said.

“Couple such a campaign with faster onboarding with Leap card tap-and-go tech on the Cork fleet, and you’ll vastly improve the public transport experience and footfall.”

Mr Horgan also said that it was critical that more bus shelters be installed in Maryborough and said that he was awaiting an update from the National Transport Authority on that.

“Children can’t cross the road to get the school bus safely at Broadale,” he said. “Adults can’t cross the road safely, and that’s a problem in 2023.”

In a statement, Bus Éireann said that six dedicated vehicles were assigned to the 216 Monkstown-to-CUH route.