Your commute might be about to get easier.

Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company, has announced details of its most significant single enhancement of services in more than 15 years, with a new cross-city service for Cork.

The new plan includes both new services and increased frequency on existing services, that when combined will contribute to Bus Éireann providing an additional three million kilometres of journeys per year nationwide.

In total 120 driver posts will be created, with half requiring external recruitment in the areas of Cork, Ballina, Drogheda, Dundalk and Limerick. Recruitment for some positions is ongoing and in the last months, women recruits have accounted for 15% of new drivers hired – an improvement on previous recruitment campaigns, following concerted attempts in recent years to promote driving as a career choice amongst women.

What’s new for Cork?

In Cork city, a new cross-city service will be introduced linking Glanmire with Cork University Hospital via the city centre. The frequency of city services will also be increased to three services an hour between Glanmire and the city centre.

Additional evening and weekend services will also be introduced on Routes 202 and 208.

“Our passenger numbers in town and city services across the country have demonstrated that investment in services is quickly followed by growth – the demand is there,” said Stephen Kent, CEO, Bus Éireann.

“In Waterford, for example, passenger numbers increased by 50%, in Drogheda by 50% and on route 220 in Cork – Ireland’s first 24-hour city route – by 70% within a year of improvements.”

Updated service details and timetables will be available at buseireann.ie.