Ministers secure Government Approval for BusConnects Cork

• Major Project to Enhance Cork’s Bus and Cycle Infrastructure 
• More Reliable, Frequent and Faster Bus Services 
• Planning Applications Next Year

 
Cabinet has today approved BusConnects Cork, a transformative programme of investment in Cork’s bus and cycle system. Today’s approval will facilitate the lodgement of planning applications with An Coimisiún Pleanála for new bus and active travel infrastructure, which is expected to occur next year. 
The multi-billion euro BusConnects Cork investment programme was developed following extensive public consultation by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The programme will deliver 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors across Cork city, covering 90km of bus lanes as well as 95km of cycle lane facilities (in one direction). It will also deliver new bus shelters, electric buses and Next Generation Ticketing. The redesigned bus network will have over 50% more bus services in place, with two routes operating 24-hours.
All of this will provide more reliable, frequent and faster bus services, and better cycling infrastructure to the people of Cork, through an integrated sustainable transport network.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, said: 
“Today’s approval of BusConnects Cork is another example of the Government meeting its commitments to invest in sustainable transport. As a result of this programme, an extra 13,000 people will be able to reach Cork city entre by public transport from their homes within 30 minutes. BusConnects Cork will make it faster and easier to get to school, work, or visit family and friends. And by reducing congestion, it will make our streets safer for all.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said: 
"BusConnects Cork is transformative and ambitious, mapping out a modern, efficient and sustainable transport system for the city. It will not only improve connectivity and help reduce journey times, but also support economic growth and our climate goals. It is an investment in a cleaner, safer and more accessible future for transport."
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, said: 
“As a resident of Cork city, I am delighted to see BusConnects Cork moving to the next stage of development. This project has potential to transform the way we move across the city, increasing our transport options and making travel by bus and bike more attractive. There will of course be challenges, as with any ambitious project, but the benefits for the city and its residents will be considerable.”
Hugh Creegan, Interim CEO of the NTA, welcomed the Government’s decision, stating:
“This is a significant step forward for sustainable transport in Cork. The BusConnects programme will deliver a cleaner, faster and more efficient transport system for the people of Cork, making it easier for people to use public transport as part of their daily lives, improving journey times, reducing congestion, and supporting the city’s growth.”
 
Notes to Editors
The BusConnects Cork programme involves various projects, including:

• Bus Network Redesign: A redesigned, and simplified, network of bus services across the city. There will be 53% more bus services (measured by in-service bus kilometres) and two routes will operate a 24-hour service – one running east-west and another running north-south.
• Sustainable Transport Corridors: 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors in three schemes, across the north, south-east, and south-west of the city and suburbs, consisting of 90km of segregated bus lanes and bus priority and 95km of high-quality segregated cycling routes. Following three rounds of public consultation, environmental impact assessment reports and planning documents are being prepared for the three schemes for submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála, which is expected to occur in 2026. 
• New bus stops and shelters, and Real Time Passenger Information. 
• Zero Emission Bus Fleet.
• Simplified fares.
• Next Generation Ticketing: An upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods (including mobile phones), thus enhancing passenger convenience and reducing delays at stops associated with fare payment.

 
Under the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines, any Exchequer investment proposal with an estimated capital cost of over €200 million requires Government consent for approval. This is the case with the BusConnects Cork programme. With today’s decision, the Government has issued Approval Gate 1 approval in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, allowing the Sustainable Transport Corridors to enter the planning system. 
The final budget and delivery schedule for BusConnects Cork will be established for Approval Gate 3 (Final Business Case) under the Infrastructure Guidelines, following the planning/procurement phases. At present, it is anticipated that delivery of the capital programme will range from between €2.3 billion and €3.5 billion. Even using an upper-end cost estimate, the Benefit to Cost Ratio for the programme is 1.50, indicating that for every €1 spent, the programme will generate €1.50 in benefits. 
The overall citywide approach is delivered through the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040. Adopted in 2020, CMATS is intended to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of the Cork Metropolitan Area as a dynamic, connected and internationally competitive European city region. CMATS 2040 was developed by the NTA in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council and Cork County Council.
During construction, appropriate traffic management measures will be put in place to manage any temporary traffic disruption. In addition, there will be extensive and comprehensive communication arrangements to ensure all impacted persons are fully informed of the construction activities and the mitigation measures in place.
There is more information available at https://busconnects.ie/cities/cork/.