The National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced the appointment of specialist engineering teams to carry out a review of the current public transport infrastructure and bus services in Cork City and to design an improved bus network.
The appointments are part of the BusConnects Cork Programme which is a key element in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. Its objective is to improve the efficiency of the overall bus network across the Cork area, improving the user experience and ensuring appropriate integration with other imminent transport developments.
BusConnects Cork – Infrastructure
The specialist technical service providers have been appointed to develop concept engineering designs for the Core Bus Corridors (CBCs) that will support the efficient running of the bus services in the City. They will also include the provision for bus priority and safe cycle and pedestrian facilities.
The NTA is currently proceeding with stage 1 of the process which is Route Option Selection. Cork has been split into 4 work packages for the appointed providers, which are as follows:
| Engineering Service Provider | Core Bus Corridors (CBC) in Package |
| WSP | CBC 2 East of Mayfield to City Centre via Montenotte
CBC 3 Ballyvolane to City Centre via Montenotte CBC 4 North of Dublin Hill to City Centre via Blackpool CBC 5 Hollyhill / Apple to City Centre via Shandon area |
| Arup | CBC 6 West of Ballincollig to City Centre via Mardyke
CBC 7 West of Bishopstown to City Centre. CBC 8 Wilton to City Centre CBC 9 Cork Airport to City Centre via Turners Cross area |
| Barry Transportation | CBC 1 Dunkettle to City Centre via Tivoli and Kent Station
CBC 10 South of Douglas (N28) to City Centre via Douglas CBC 11 Jacobs Island to City Centre via Ballinlough CBC 12 Mahon to City Centre Via Ballintemple |
| AECOM | CBC O Orbital corridor From Cork University Hospital via Western Road, Hollyhill, Blackpool, Mayfield, Jack Lynch Tunnel, Mahon point, Douglas village and Black Ash to Cork University Hospital |
Once work has been sufficiently developed in assessing these routes, there will be extensive public consultation where the public will have opportunity to have their say on the proposals. It is anticipated the consultation process will begin in the second half of 2021.
BusConnects Cork – Network Redesign
Following a competitive tender process, the NTA is now in the process of appointing transport specialist Jarrett Walker & Associates to carry out a review of current bus services and design an improved bus service network in Cork City. In 2017, Jarrett Walker was appointed to undertake a review of the bus networks in the Dublin area. The implementation of that review is to get underway this year.
It is a priority of the NTA to futureproof the public transport network of Cork City to meet rapidly growing demand. The review and redesign under the BusConnects Cork Programme will create an efficient network that will allow more people to gain quick access to more places in the city.
In addition to its own resources the NTA is also enabling the recruitment of additional staff within the local authority to support the BusConnects Cork Programme. The related appointments will be made in the coming weeks.
The full Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy unveiled in early 2020 is available to download by clicking on the following link: https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cork_Met_Area_Transport_Stategy_web.pdf.