Disappointment at delay in reinstating timetable for busy Cork bus service

An announcement by Bus Éireann that the normal service would not be resumed on one of Cork city’s busiest routes, the 220, until April has been met with disappointment.

Local public representatives and people who rely on the bus had hoped for a resumption of higher frequency service.

Last week, Bus Éireann confirmed that its timetable, which had been reduced since October to allow for a recruitment process, was to be restored in full for routes 202/202A, 205, and 208.

However, the company said there would be a further delay relating to route 220, the service which links Ballincollig through the city centre and onward to Carrigaline.

“The 220 service is currently undergoing a timetable review, which will address the punctuality and reliability issues on this key route and this route will remain operating as per the current timetable,” a Bus Éireann spokesperson said in a statement.

“It is anticipated that a new 220 service timetable will be in place by late April 2025.”

According to the Carrigaline district Sinn Féin county councillor, Eoghan Fahy, the latest announcement from Bus Éireann was very disappointing as it would mean that the length the reduced timetable would remain in force for Carrigaline commuters would be doubled from three months to six months.

Normal timetable

“When the revised timetable came into effect on October 21, we were advised that the revised timetable would be in place for 12 weeks meaning that as of Monday, January 12, we should have returned to the normal timetable,” said Mr Fahy.

“Bus Éireann has advised that the 220 will now not return to normal service till April at the earliest.

“That is double the timeframe first advised. Do Bus Éireann and the [National Transport Authority] believe this is acceptable? This latest revelation from Bus Éireann management will not increase passengers’ trust as they yet again renege on their word.”

Cork South Central Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said neither he or his party want to see people give up on using bus services.

“This is a commuter town, and the timetable reflects the fact that thousands of people every day travel to the city, and beyond for work,” he said.

“The reduced timetable was meant to be a brief respite to allow recruitment and reflect a reality on the ground.

“But that assumed efforts would be made to fill the gap and get the drivers in to deliver the proper timetable reliably.”

Mr Fahy in turn suggested there should be two looped services at peak times, one connecting Crosshaven and Carrigaline to the city centre and the other linking Ovens to the city centre.

This would make the route shorter and reduce pinch times, he suggested.