€24 million spent on Cork BusConnects projects since 2021

More than €24m has been spent to date on two projects under BusConnects Cork.

In response to a parliamentary question submitted by the Labour Party, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan stated that as of June 30, some €24,669,240 had been spent so far since 2021 on BusConnects.

When queried by The Echo, a spokesperson for the National Transport Authority (NTA) stated that this figure relates to costs associated with the proposed sustainable transport corridors (STCs) and the BusConnects Cork network redesign costs.

BusConnects Cork, the spokesperson said, “aims to transform the city’s bus system by making it a better, more reliable, and more efficient service”.

“The first element of this will see the delivery of a new bus network.

“The new network, which involves the creation of new bus routes and improved bus frequencies, is anticipated to begin rolling out in 2025 and run into 2026.

“In addition to this, the NTA is currently developing the designs for 11 proposed sustainable transport corridors as part of the BusConnects Cork programme.

“These STCs would provide continuous bus priority and safer cycling facilities along key routes in the city.”

“These designs will form part of the statutory consent applications to An Bord Pleanála,” they said.

The National Transport Authority spokesperson said it is anticipated that applications will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála “on a phased basis beginning in the first quarter of 2025 for its consideration and determination”.

“A formal statutory consultation process will be undertaken as part of that process,” said the spokesperson.

Labour councillor Peter Horgan said that he would like to see a speedier rollout of measures, such as next-generation ticketing.

“We have to differentiate between the work underway on the sustainable transport corridors, which still have a way to go in terms of planning being even submitted, and the route redesign which should yield better capacity elements for public bus usage,” said Mr Horgan.

“I would like to see funding being spent on frontloading the necessary elements to support the route redesign with elements such as next-generation ticketing, orbital route, hop-on-hop-off. and other measures … that would bring a larger buy-in to BusConnects by allowing people to utilise the bus in a more creative way as a transport mode.”