The BusConnects Cork – Sustainable Transport Corridors Report 2022, was published in April 2022 and is available to download below, marked the beginning of the NTA’s engagement on the necessary infrastructure to support the BusConnects objectives in Cork. There are 12 sustainable transport corridors proposed, each designed with the aim of making the bus system operate more efficiently and to encourage more people to cycle by enhancing infrastructure.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) unveiled a €600m investment in BusConnects Cork which will include the creation of new Sustainable Transport Corridors (STC) to help meet the needs of a growing city while accelerating the journey to a net-zero future.

The new investment comes as the NTA published the BusConnects Cork Sustainable Transport Corridors Report. The report sets out the NTA’s principles and initial thinking on how the Sustainable Transport Corridors (STC) will significantly improve bus journey times and increase the number of people walking and cycling into the city.

The proposals, if implemented, will feature:

  • 54kms of new cycling and walking infrastructure as well as 75kms of new dedicated bus lanes across twelve sustainable transport corridors to the north, south and west of Cork city.
  • Bus journey time will be cut in half across most of the twelve proposed corridors.

The Sustainable Transport Corridors initiative is one of the nine key elements of BusConnects Cork that will transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more accessible to more people. These include redesigning the network of bus routes in the city, transitioning to a zero-emissions bus fleet, rolling out a new bus livery and implementing a new modern ticketing system.

The proposed sustainable transport corridors are fundamental to realising the ambition of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, developed in connection with Cork City Council and Cork County Council, to increase the number of people using public transport in Cork four fold by 2040 and expand the numbers cycling and walking by 33%.

A more detailed set of proposals will be published for an initial public consultation during June 2022. This will included extensive public engagement and allow people to provide their feedback, insights and local knowledge regarding the proposals. A series of Community Forums will be established to fully engage people and groups at a local level for each corridor and surrounding areas, as plans for the project are developed, designed and progressed. Further details regarding the Community Forums will be announced in June 2022.

The 12 proposed Sustainable Transport Corridors

The 12 proposed corridors in the STC system are shown in the map at the link below: A. Dunkettle to City; B. Mayfield to City; C. Blackpool to City; D. Hollyhill to City; E. Ballincollig to City; F. Bishopstown to City; G. Togher to City; H. Airport Road to City; I. Maryborough Hill to City; J. Mahon to City; K. Kinsale Road to Douglas and L. Sunday’s Well to Hollyhill.

Click on the link to view the map of the 12 Sustainable Transport Corridors

The full Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy unveiled in early 2020 is available at this link