The National Transport Authority (NTA) have announced details of its proposals to create a sustainable public transport network across the Cork Metropolitan Area.
The first round of public consultation regarding proposals to deliver 12 new Sustainable Transport Corridors (STCs) as part of the BusConnects Cork project, gets under way today. The plans include approximately 93 km of bus lanes and 112 km of cycle facilities across the city.
The proposed STCs are fundamental to realising the ambition of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), developed in connection with Cork City Council and Cork County Council, to increase the number of people using public transport in Cork fourfold by 2040 and expand the numbers cycling and walking by 33%.
BusConnects Cork will also be essential to achieve Cork’s objective to become one of Europe’s first climate neutral cities by 2030, under the EU’s Cities Mission programme, which has selected Cork as one of 100 cities who will lead the way on climate action and smart cities across Europe.
Some of the 12 routes proposed include Blackpool to City, Airport Road to City, and Kinsale Road to Douglas.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD said:
“As one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, Cork has a unique opportunity to become a leader in sustainable transport. BusConnects Cork is key to making public transport and active travel a viable option for people and communities across the city. These new Sustainable Transport Corridors will make travel by bus, as well as walking and cycling, more attractive to many more individuals and families. By significantly reducing bus journey times and providing dedicated active travel infrastructure, sustainable transport will be at the very heart of a thriving Cork City into the future."
