Plans unveiled for major new bus interchange at Cork city's Black Ash Park and Ride

Plans have been unveiled for a major new bus interchange at the Black Ash Park and Ride, a project which has been described as a “key element of the wider BusConnects Cork scheme”.

Cork City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA) this morning said they are seeking planning permission to develop the interchange at the Black Ash facility on Mick Barry Rd.

As part of BusConnects Cork, a new bus network was agreed in 2022 which, when fully implemented, will deliver higher frequency services, better public transport coverage to areas currently without a bus service and easier interchange between bus routes seven days a week.

Cork City Council and the NTA have said that the proposed interchange will allow for the expansion of bus services accessing the Park and Ride and will facilitate the introduction of six new bus routes.

The existing no 213 Park and Ride bus service, which travels two-way from Black Ash to Patrick St, and which celebrated 20 years of service a few months ago, will continue to operate during the site upgrade works.

Lord of Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle said: “This planned interchange at the upgraded facility will allow passengers to seamlessly, conveniently and safely transfer from one bus route to another or from their car or bike to any of the bus routes providing greater public transport coverage to key destinations across the network”.

Meanwhile Cork City Council’s chief executive, Valerie O’Sullivan described the proposed interchange as “a key element of the wider BusConnects Cork scheme” adding that it “demonstrates the integrated nature of this project which is aimed at providing regular, reliable and integrated public transport services as well as enhanced walking, cycling and bus infrastructure”.

NTA chief executive, Hugh Creegan said: “Delivering a new bus interchange at Black Ash will help support the rollout of our new bus network planned for Cork.

“Working closely with our partners in Cork City Council, we want to make travel by bus a more convenient option for people who are travelling to work, going to college or doing business in the city”.

It’s proposed that Route 6 from Grange Road, Douglas Road to UCC (15 min frequency running on a two-way loop) would use the planned interchange as would Route 13 from Cork Airport to Kent Railway Station.

Route 14 from Mahon Point to Cork University Hospital (15 min frequency) would also pass through Black Ash as would the hourly Route 23 service, which begins at Old Youghal Road through Ballyphenane.

Route 42x from Fountainstown/ Carrigaline would travel to Kent Station on an hourly service via the interchange as would the 13b from Kinsale.

The interchange would therefore create significant new connectivity between the city, county and key locations such as Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork Airport and Kent Railway Station, the council and the NTA said.

It is proposed that four new bus bays, new entrance and exit points onto the Mick Barry Road, new bus shelters, seating and sheltered bike parking will all be developed at the facility which will also provide safe walkways for pedestrians moving around the site.

Part 8 planning permission is being sought to develop the site with the public consultation open for submissions until April 10.

To view the new bus network see the Network Online Map.