Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the overall state of progress of the BusConnects scheme nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30608/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus services.

As the Deputy may be aware, 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 NTA. A summary of progress to date is as follows:

• Dublin: The first six phases of new bus routes as part of the bus Network in Dublin have rolled out since 2021. The NTA rolled out Phase 6A, the E-Spine (Ballymun and Santry to Bray and Dun Laoghaire) in January 2025. The rollout will continue, subject to sufficient budget and operational readiness. An Bord Pleanála has approved all 12 Core Bus Corridor schemes to date, though Judicial Reviews are ongoing in relation to six of these schemes. The Department expects the first of these Corridors to enter construction this year. Over 100 double-deck electric buses are in service in Dublin.
• Cork: A third round of public consultation on what are now the Preferred Route Options for the 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors in Cork concluded in December 2023. Rollout of the network redesign will occur on a phased basis in the years ahead. The Preliminary Business Case is with Department of Transport for review.
• Galway: The network redesign was finalised in December 2023. The NTA has received planning approval for the Cross City Link project (currently subject to Judicial Review) and the Dublin Road scheme.
• Limerick: The redesigned network finalised in December 2023. 34 double-deck electric buses rolled out in 2024. The first phase of 30 charging guns at Bus Éireann’s Roxboro depot is available for use.
• Waterford: The NTA published the redesigned network for public consultation in July 2024. Following this, the final network was published in January 2025.