Have your say about the future of transport in Cork.

The National Transport Authority yesterday published its BusConnects plan for Cork, beginning the public consultation process on the proposals.

The NTA say that under the BusConnects plan, “the level of bus services in Cork will increase by 36% with shorter waits and more direct routes for commuters within the city. 34% more people will live close to a frequent service.” New routes will be added in Little Island, Cobh, Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy, Glanmire, Ballincollig and Blarney.

It is hoped that these redrawn bus routes will also pave the way for the introduction of a Cork Luas service “organised around high frequency routes within the city centre with route branches extending out to our areas of the city.”

This new draft of the network comes after a public consultation that received 1,200 responses.

Stephen Kent, CEO of Bus Éireann has talked up the plan, saying: “The new proposed BusConnects network will dramatically change the public transport experience in Cork and bus services can be enhanced comparatively quickly. We look forward to working with the NTA to facilitate and deliver this new future for public transport in Cork over the next two years.”

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan welcomed the plans, saying: “This is a milestone for the BusConnects project which will make Cork a cleaner, greener and more liveable city. BusConnects in Cork will mean increased services and frequency making it easier for everyone to choose public transport to get around – be it to school, work or anywhere else.”

The full details of the proposal can be found here, where you can also provide feedback through an online form. The latest round of consultation will run for the next six weeks. A map of the proposed routes can also be accessed.