Councillors bemoan lack of direct bus link between airport and Cork city centre

A member of Cork County Council has said it is difficult to believe that there is no direct bus link between Cork Airport, described as the country’s fastest-growing airport, and the city centre.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting of the council, Carrigaline Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McGrath called on the National Transport Authority to support such a service.

He said the current system, which sees the airport as a stop between the city centre and Kinsale, was not satisfactory and what was needed was an extended hours, direct service between the facility and Cork.

“Cork Airport is the fastest growing airport in Ireland and is on course for 11% growth this year, and is on course to reach the milestone of 3m passengers this year,” he said.

“It is fantastic news and a great success story. It’s difficult to believe that we do not have a direct, dedicated shuttle link between the airport and the city centre where you can, for example, connect with the bus station and the train station for onward travel.”

The councillor said the council should write to the National Transport Authority seeking such a direct shuttle link.

“We have some service between the airport and the city, via local bus routes, the 225 and the 226, but obviously it’s not a dedicated service and many passengers getting on at the airport will find that the bus is quite full of passengers already,” he said.

“The longer the route is the more potential you have for delays. A dedicated shuttle service between an international airport and the city is vital. Also what the airport would like to see is an extended-hours service, as the airport is a 24/7 operation.”

Other councillors were in agreement with Mr McGrath.

Crosshaven-based councillor Audrey Buckley recounted having to drive to the airport to pick people up who had arrived on their way to Cork Week, as to give them instructions as to how make their onward journey would have been too complicated.

“I didn’t realise there wasn’t one until I was looking for it,” she said.