TD seeks 24-hour bus service to Cork Airport

A Cork TD has called for improvements to the bus service to Cork Airport, as well as the provision of a 24-hour service for the airport and the businesses surrounding it.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central Séamus McGrath made the call in a parliamentary question to transport minister Darragh O’Brien, asking that Mr O’Brien examine transportation connectivity to the airport, “in view of the request from the airport for a 24-hour bus service to be introduced as soon as possible”.

Responding, Mr O’Brien said while he has responsibility for public transport policy and funding, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.

He said: “Bus Éireann currently runs two public service obligation routes providing connectivity to Cork Airport: The 225 running from Kent Station to Haulbowline, and the 226 from Kinsale to Kent Station.

“The planned BusConnects network for Cork Airport retains the current network structure with route 13A to operate as per current route 225, while route 13B will operate as per current route 226.”

He added that the NTA has said consideration will be given to including extended hours of operation through the implementation of BusConnects and that these measures would be further developed during 2026.

Mr McGrath told The Echo it was vital to improve public transport connectivity to the airport.

“We need to plan for the future, and it is a mistake not to include the airport in the Cork Luas plans,” Mr McGrath said.

“In the shorter term, we need to improve the bus service to the airport through increased frequency and the provision of a 24-hour service.”