More late night transportation in Cork city needed during events like jazz festival

More late night transportation in Cork city is needed during key events like the jazz weekend and the build up to Christmas, a Labour councillor has said.

John Maher, a councillor for the North East ward, has submitted a motion calling on council to contact the NTA, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail to ensure that late night transportation is provided ahead of the October bank holiday weekend and month of December.

Mr Maher sought a suspension of standing orders at the last council meeting in July, and his motion for Cork City Council to make contact with all stakeholders was supported by all councillors.

He told The Echo: “It feels like Groundhog Day with this motion but I won’t give up. We speak about ambition and delivery for people of our city, yet on the Jazz Weekend and the build up to Christmas, we have no late night buses to allow people from the county and suburbs to enjoy the city and get home safely and for a reasonable price.” 

He explained: 

“This is something we had for years but we have lost it in recent times. Late night public transport will allow more people enjoy our cities bars, cafes and restaurants and boost the night-time economy.

“It’s time the bureaucracy stopped and the resources are provided to ensure that Cork city has a top class public transport network all of the time. We saw it before - build it and the people of Cork will use it.” 

Mr Maher previously raised this issue after people were left with a long walk in the rain after Bruce Springsteen’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh concert last year due to a lack of transport options.

He said that the late transport should be provided for these specific events first, but then expanded: “Let’s start with the Jazz and the run up to Christmas but late night buses are a must if we want Cork to reach its full potential - we are not a 9 - 5, Monday to Friday city - we must do better on public transport.”