Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the implementation of the BusConnects project. [13140/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

In Dublin, the major infrastructure element of of BusConnects comprises 12 Core Bus Corridor schemes. These Corridors aim to provide over 200 km of enhanced walking, cycling, and bus route infrastructure in the Dublin region. An Bord Pleanála recently granted planning permission to two of the Corridors - the Clongriffin and Liffey Valley schemes.

Meanwhile, new bus services in Dublin are already being delivered with the first five phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. This roll out will continue in the coming years.

In Cork, following a public consultation, the new BusConnects network was published in June 2022, and it aims to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be implemented in the coming years.

Another key component of the BusConnects Cork programme is the implementation of bus priority measures, generally bus lanes, on key bus corridors serving the city. A third round of non-statutory public consultation on the 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors commenced ran from November to December 2023. Preparation of a Preliminary Business Case for the programme is ongoing.

Similarly, BusConnects Galway will provide a major enhancement to the bus system there. Key elements are currently under development, namely the Cross City Link project and the Dublin Road scheme. The Salmon Weir Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge was officially opened to the public last May. The bus network design was finalised last December following a public consultation, and it will provide improved services, including in Bearna and Oranmore.

For Limerick, following public consultation, the NTA published the final redesigned bus network last December, which will also result in a better bus service for the city in the years ahead.

For Waterford, workshops on the redesign of Waterford’s City bus network have been complete. The new network will be published for public consultation by the end of Quarter 2 2024 with the final network will be published in Quarter 4 2024.

Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.