Cork Bus Route Plans Delayed Over BusConnects 2035 Delay Fears

The 214 bus timetable change is now coming in June. It was supposed to happen in April or May. Thomas Gould, a Cork TD, shared this news. BusConnects is also delayed; its first phase is pushed back to 2026.

Sinn Féin TDs and councillors met with the NTA to discuss issues with Cork’s bus routes. The NTA stated that they don’t know how many drivers are needed for the new 214 timetable.

The 214 bus runs between CUH and Glanmire. Last December, it was late 40% of the time according to new data. Almost half the Cork buses were late, and one in five buses didn’t appear before Christmas.

An MTU student created a website. People use it to report “ghost buses” and cancellations around the city, covering the whole public transport network.

The Sinn Féin group also talked about BusConnects with the NTA. Thomas Gould is very concerned about BusConnects and fears it will not arrive until 2035. Phase 1 was originally due in 2023.

Now, Phase 1 will not arrive until April 2026, and no timeline exists for later phases. Gould worries bus services will worsen, and he thinks BusConnects will stay on the shelf.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire spoke about route 214, which serves CUH, Wilton, and Glanmire. He says it is one of Cork’s most unreliable routes; analysis shows buses are late 40% of the time.

Many buses never show up, and Ó Laoghaire shared some stories. One February case included a very long delay where an elderly couple got soaked and were late for their medical appointment.

Another elderly woman waited an hour for the 214 bus while traveling to a hospital. During this time, she was missing visiting time.

Ó Laoghaire said the NTA will fix problems for 214 with a “Punctuality and Reliability Fix,” coming in May or June. It will add staff and resources with the goal to meet each timetable.

He said this change is long overdue, and he will monitor the changes to make sure they work. The goal is to meet the needs of the people who live in Togher, Wilton, and Glanmire.

Gould met with Bus Éireann on February 7. They said the 220 route would run every 15 minutes again starting by April or May. Leap card readers will be installed on Cork buses as well.