The National Transport Authority (NTA) has published its final new bus network for Limerick. The redesign of the bus network is one of the nine key elements of BusConnects Limerick that aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.
Last year, the NTA carried out an extensive review of the bus network in Limerick, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Bus Éireann, and with the specialised expertise of transport designers Jarrett Walker and Associates.
In February 2023, a draft new network was published, and the feedback and submissions received have informed the final new bus network published today. Following concerns raised during the public consultation process about the possible impact of new routes serving the University of Limerick on the Milford Care Centre and Infinity Woodland, the NTA will seek to provide new arrangements to serve UL which will avoid directly impacting the grounds of Milford Care Centre. This includes the possible development of a new link access.
The key benefits of the new network include:
- An approximately 70% increase in the amount of bus services in Limerick city and its suburbs.
- The extension of bus services to new areas with more routes with frequent services and an enhanced Sunday timetable.
- A new 24-hour bus service operating between University Hospital Limerick, the city centre and the University of Limerick.
- Provision of bus services to previously unserved areas such as Ennis Road, Dock Road, University of Limerick north campus and Ardnacrusha.
- Simpler fares that will make interchange seamless.
The new bus network will enable more people to avail of public transport resulting in increased access to a greater number of schools and workplaces across Limerick city. Overall, 41% of residents will live within 400 metres of a high frequency bus route (running every 15 minutes or better).
The new network will be delivered on a phased approach from 2025. It will be supported by a comprehensive public information campaign for bus users as the services are implemented. As the network is implemented and the new routes are put in place, there may be slight modifications made to ensure efficient service delivery.
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “Revising the bus network is one of the key elements of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and today’s announcement is another important milestone in bringing the vision of that strategy to life.
“The revised network that we’ve finalised and published will provide the people of Limerick with enhanced frequency, greater connectivity and longer operating hours.
“As we roll out the key pillars of BusConnects Limerick, we’re confident that this network will encourage more people to take public transport and support the sustainable growth of the city in the decades to come.”
Stephen Kent, Chief Executive Officer of Bus Éireann commented: “We’re worked in partnership with the NTA to help develop a new bus network for Limerick that will significantly increase frequency and expand bus services across the city and its suburbs.
“This comes at an exciting time for the city with the NTA investing in the switch to fully electric and hybrid fleet in Limerick. The electrification of the depot at Roxboro which is currently underway will really change public transport in Limerick for the better, in terms of environmental impact and also a greatly enhanced customer experience with quieter, smoother journeys.
“We look forward to playing our part in implementing the new bus network from 2025 and expanding public transport use across the city and surrounding areas.”
Click on this link to view and download the full report, local area maps and frequency tables.