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About BusConnects
BusConnects Cork will overhaul the current bus system in the Cork Metropolitan Area with nine types of improvement and investment. These include: 1. Redesigning the bus network 2. Building a new network of bus corridors and cycle lanes 3. Implementing state of the art ticketing system 4. Implementing cashless payment system 5. Switching to a simpler fare structure 6. Bus livery 7. New bus stops and shelter with better signage and information 8. New park and ride sites in key locations. 9.Transitioning to a new zero emissions bus fleet.
About BusConnects
BusConnects Cork will overhaul the current bus system in the Cork Metropolitan Area with nine types of improvement and investment. These include: 1. Redesigning the bus network 2. Building a new network of bus corridors and cycle lanes 3. Implementing state of the art ticketing system 4. Implementing cashless payment system 5. Switching to a simpler fare structure 6. Bus livery 7. New bus stops and shelter with better signage and information 8. New park and ride sites in key locations. 9.Transitioning to a new zero emissions bus fleet.
Purpose
BusConnects Cork will help realise Government policies within the Cork Metropolitan Area:
- The National Development Plan
- The Climate Action Plan
- The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS)
Why are we doing this?
Cork is expected to grow in population by about 50% over the next two decades. The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) is an integrated plan for transport and land use. Key principles of CMATS include:
- Reducing dependency on the private car.
- Increasing the appeal of sustainable public transport.
- Supporting future growth in the Metropolitan Area with an efficient public transport network.
The Draft New Network will help deliver on these strategies.
Bus network redesign
Our aim is to deliver an enhanced bus system that is better for the city, its people and the environment. The Draft New Network features shorter waits; more routes that run all day, every day; and more direct routes.
Every publicly-funded route was considered for changes. This includes local routes within Cork City and routes that connect the towns and rural areas of the Metropolitan Area. Every such route is proposed to change at least modestly.
The new network will be implemented starting in 2023, along with other BusConnects measures.
The purpose of this online consultation is to invite members of the public to review and provide feedback on the Draft New Network.
Read more
- Volume 1: Bus Network Choices Report - print quality (23 MB).
- Draft New Network Report: print quality (37.8 MB).
- Visit the BusConnects Cork website.
- Read the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).
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Appetite for Change
Walking vs waiting
77% of respondents said that it is more important to have a short wait for the bus, or a faster overall journey, than to have a short walk to the bus stop.
Interchange
76% of respondents said that more interchange would be acceptable if the new network offers faster overall journeys and is useful to more people.
You Spoke, We Listened
The NTA and a team of transport exports developed the Draft New Network based on guidance from the public, Bus Éireann, the Cork City Council, and the Cork County Council. Here is what we heard:
Appetite for change
75% of respondents expressed a strong appetite for changing the network to maximise benefits to the entire population, even if the changes create some inconvenience for existing users.
Defining success
The highest ranked measures of success were:
- Reducing vehicle travel and carbon emissions, with fewer people traveling fewer kilometres by car.
- Inclusion of all developed areas, regardless of patronage or needs in each area.
Walking vs waiting
77% of respondents said it is more important to have a short wait for the bus, or a faster overall journey, than a short walk to the bus stop.
Interchange
76% of respondents said that more interchange would be acceptable if the new network offers faster overall journeys and is useful to more people.
For more information about the input gathered in Phase One, see Chapter 2 of the Draft New Network Report.
Benefits of the Draft New Network
- Frequent service will be provided within 10-minutes’ walk of:
- 34% more residents…
- 33% more retired residents…
- 40% more households without cars, and
- 56% more unemployed residents.
- The average resident would have access to 17% more jobs within a short commute.
- Young people would gain access to more jobs and education places within a short journey.
- More residents of the City and County would be on the public transport network.
How would the network be different?
- Shorter waits and more direct routes.
- More frequent service on Saturdays and Sundays.
- More frequent service to Carrigaline, Glanmire, Midleton and other towns.
- A new cross-city route pattern that prepares for Luas.
- New routes in areas such as Little Island, Cobh, Sarsfield, Banduff Road, Blarney and Kerry Pike.
Network Map
Instructions: You can use the map below to compare the locations and frequency of existing and proposed routes and see how access to jobs would change with the New Network. Search by address, click, drag, and zoom to find specific locations. After you click a location, click the buttons on the map toolbar to show and hide information about how the new network would serve that area.
Can't see the map? Try opening in a new window.
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Project Timeline
Project Timeline
Timeline
Public input in response to the Draft will inform the Final New Network. It will also inform a parallel BusConnects programme, the development of Core Bus Corridors.
The Final New Network will be published in 2022, with route changes beginning in 2023.
For more information
Thanks for participating!