Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I reassure the Deputy that I and my Department have regular engagement with Bus Éireann at all levels, including at CEO level, on issues such as governance, finance, investment, safety and service provision. I last met the chairwoman of Bus Éireann on 27 September last.

I am aware of the ongoing public transport service issues in Cork city and the negative impact they are having on the travelling public. Bus Éireann has advised that these issues are due largely to congestion, traffic delays and roadworks in the city centre, which are all leading to longer journey times.

Bus Éireann is working with the NTA in re-examining what steps can be taken this year to improve service provision in the city. The recent introduction of the MacCurtain Street public transport improvement scheme on 26 November last and subsequent timetable refreshes represent a significant investment into Cork city. I recognise, however, that there is still work to be done to build on these incremental changes. In particular, service reliability and punctuality enhancements for routes 220, 225 and 226 are being reviewed by the NTA and Bus Éireann with a view towards additional timetable updates later in the first or second quarter of this year.

The NTA is also working with key local stakeholders such as Cork City Council and An Garda Síochána to assist in the development and enhancement of more reliable and efficient public transport in the city, as well as the enforcement of local traffic and parking by-laws.

Cork is a growing city and needs a bus network that works for its increasing population. The Cork metropolitan area transport strategy was developed by the NTA in collaboration with TII and Cork's city and county councils. A key part of this programme is BusConnects Cork.

The NTA launched its new design for the Cork metropolitan bus network in June 2022. The new network, which is part of BusConnects Cork, is intended to transform public transport across the Cork metropolitan area with the creation of new bus routes and improved bus frequencies to meet anticipated growth and future demand. The BusConnects Cork programme will provide better walking, cycling and bus infrastructure for 11 key access corridors in the Cork region to transform the public transport network, making it safer, faster and more sustainable for everyone in the city.

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