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#Public Transport

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p> A frayed and discoloured national tricolour flag is currently flying at the Bus Station at Parnell Place, Cork City. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

munster

Cork bus station flag remains ‘ragged and torn’ four months after replacement promised

A Cork man says repeated requests to replace the damaged flag at Parnell Place bus station have gone unanswered

<p>Next month, the second round of public hearings of the Defence Forces Tribunal begins. File picture: Leah Farrell</p>

ourview

Irish Examiner view: Authority requires respect

<p>Cork councillors oppose public transport fare hikes and call for Government funding. Picture: Denis Minihane.</p>

munster

Cork politicians call for proposed public transport fare hikes to be overturned

Public transport fares need to rise to cover operating costs, NTA says

news

Public transport fares need to rise to cover operating costs, NTA says

Metrolink to cost up to €17.5bn and carry first passengers between 2036 and 2038

news

Metrolink to cost up to €17.5bn and carry first passengers between 2036 and 2038

Irish Cabinet meeting

politics

Government set to approve next phase of Dublin Metrolink project

Bishopstown accounts for highest volume of Luas Cork submissions

Bishopstown accounts for highest volume of Luas Cork submissions

Perceived effects of the tram route on Bishopstown GAA, Highfield RFC, and Bishopstown Community School dominated feedback from Bishopstown

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Luas Cork consultation finds strong support for project despite Bishopstown concerns

Luas Cork consultation finds strong support for project despite Bishopstown concerns

More than 85% of respondents backed a Cork light rail system, but local concerns accounted for most consultation submissions

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Irish Rail says no spare carriages to ease overcrowding on Midleton-Cork peak services

Irish Rail says no spare carriages to ease overcrowding on Midleton-Cork peak services

East Cork councillors have called for more carriages and earlier and later services amid concerns over growing commuter demand.

Thu, 10 Sep, 2026

Planned fare hikes fleecing public transport users to subsidise private transport users

Planned fare hikes fleecing public transport users to subsidise private transport users

The Government has decided that those who use private transport should be financially supported, while those taking the bus and train can suffer yet another increase, writes Elaine Loughlin

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Coalition urged to immediately reverse planned bus and rail fare hikes

Coalition urged to immediately reverse planned bus and rail fare hikes

Micheál Martin has defended the increases, saying 27% of the population will retain free transport

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Michael Moynihan: Animals do not belong on public transport. End of discussion

Michael Moynihan: Animals do not belong on public transport. End of discussion

This proposal must be the most moronic to surface in some time, even in a field as crowded as Irish public policy. Anyone with the remotest acquaintance with actual animals, not idealised creatures or fairytale characters, will be able to conjure up a mental picture or two

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Friedrich Merz visit to Ireland

'Government’s not in a position to fund everything forever’: Taoiseach defends bus and rail fare hikes

Micheál Martin says sustainable funding is needed as planned fare increases face criticism over pressure on household finances

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Government urged to halt 15% public transport fare increase

Government urged to halt 15% public transport fare increase

Opposition parties have criticised the planned increases, with some Dublin fares set to rise while children’s fares are expected to fall

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

E-scooters use

E-scooters are ‘symptom of poor’ public transport infrastructure, consultant says

Emergency medicine consultant John Legge questions whether new e-scooter rules will be enforced evenly and warns against an outright ban

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

An Unrecognizable Businessman Driving His Car

People who learn to drive later in life are less dependent on cars

People living in rural parts of Ireland are more likely to learn to drive earlier than those in urban areas with good public transport, study shows

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

NTA proposes allowing dogs, cats and small pets on public transport

NTA proposes allowing dogs, cats and small pets on public transport

The proposals follow more than 2,500 consultation submissions, with supporters highlighting accessibility, wellbeing and reduced car dependency.

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism

Irish Examiner view: Andy Burnham's border poll comments may suit some

Overstepping the mark

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

No timetable for roll-out of new public transport ticketing system to replace Leap Card, NTA confirms

No timetable for roll-out of new public transport ticketing system to replace Leap Card, NTA confirms

National Transport Authority said the system, which will first be introduced in Dublin, is being designed from the outset so it can be expanded and extended nationally without requiring a major redesign

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

NTA 'waiting for green light' to proceed with Limerick BusConnects scheme

NTA 'waiting for green light' to proceed with Limerick BusConnects scheme

'We’re anxious to get on with that as quickly as possible, and the city centre will improve as a result,' says NTA official

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

BusConnects Cork: 'How has €11m been spent with no measurable benefit?'

BusConnects Cork: 'How has €11m been spent with no measurable benefit?'

€85m has been spent on BusConnects Cork since 2021, yet depots and planning applications years behind schedule

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Doubts raised over company's ability to deliver contactless ticketing for public transport in Dublin

Doubts raised over company's ability to deliver contactless ticketing for public transport in Dublin

"The fate of this project lies with the same company that failed to deliver the traffic management system for Irish Rail, costing the taxpayer €50m," said Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman.

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Double decker bus Dublin Ireland

Almost half of passengers surveyed have felt unsafe while using public transport

46% of people surveyed believe antisocial behaviour was worse on buses, trains, and trams during 2025

Sun, 23 Aug, 2026

Luas passengers dragged along platforms in series of incidents

Luas passengers dragged along platforms in series of incidents

Safety advice notice has been issued by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit after four separate “trap-and-drag” incidents between April and June this year

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Temporary bus depot in Cork finally in service a year later than planned

Temporary bus depot in Cork finally in service a year later than planned

Depot in Tivoli originally set to be up and running in the first half of 2025, but was pushed out three times, while the preliminary estimated cost of €10.7m has risen to €17m

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Transport authority doesn't have 'sufficient funding' to expand public transport services

Transport authority doesn't have 'sufficient funding' to expand public transport services

Data also shows that just €156m was spent on BusConnects last year, down from €234m in 2024, and €199m in 2025

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

€800k spend at Cork bus station — but toilets still in 'disgraceful condition'

€800k spend at Cork bus station — but toilets still in 'disgraceful condition'

Plans unveiled last November proposed a significant upgrade of the station, including the conversion of the former Twilight News shop unit, vacant since the business closed in early 2024, into a luggage storage facility

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

Desperate Woman

Elaine Loughlin: Government U-turns favour business over workers, housing and climate action

Elaine Loughlin says the coalition has shifted priorities, favouring business interests over climate action, workers and vulnerable families

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Modern Train at Cork Station Platform in Ireland

Iarnród Éireann lodges planning application for new train station and park-and-ride at Dunkettle

New stations at Blackpool and Dunkettle the first of eight set to be delivered under the Cork area commuter rail programme

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Rural bus rollout slows to just four new routes in first six months of this year

Rural bus rollout slows to just four new routes in first six months of this year

An average of 24 new routes were introduced every six months between 2023 and 2025 — but just four were rolled out from January to June this year

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Darragh O'Brien backs plans for Cork strategic transportation office

Darragh O'Brien backs plans for Cork strategic transportation office

The transport minster said he wants to see coordination on major projects to be carried out 'properly' under one office

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

Government plans emergency laws to fast-track major infrastructure projects

Government plans emergency laws to fast-track major infrastructure projects

Proposed legislation would create a higher legal threshold for critical projects while Cork Commuter Rail receives priority status

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Limerick transport plan could restore two-way traffic and remove 200 parking spaces

Limerick transport plan could restore two-way traffic and remove 200 parking spaces

Council proposals also include new bus-only corridors, active travel improvements and the potential removal of around 200 parking spaces

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Modern Train at Cork Station Platform in Ireland

Delivery of €1.8bn Cork rail project to speed up after minister designates it critical infrastructure

Move will see State agencies told to prioritise the project and will restrict the grounds on which the building of the rail scheme can be objected to

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026

Fergus Finlay: There must be accountability for the €50m Irish Rail IT fiasco

S Fergus Finlay: There must be accountability for the €50m Irish Rail IT fiasco

I’m going to bet you there will be an exhaustive enquiry into Irish Rail, and at the end of it there will be a report that finds 'system failure' and nothing else

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Cork city bus fare changes begin as Bus Éireann introduces 90-minute Leap Card transfers

Cork city bus fare changes begin as Bus Éireann introduces 90-minute Leap Card transfers

Bus Éireann says the new ticketing system will speed up boarding and improve reliability, but most adult single-trip fares have increased

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

'Penalties for striking rail bridges and level crossings should be reviewed'

'Penalties for striking rail bridges and level crossings should be reviewed'

Figures supplied by Irish Rail show that bridge strikes so far this year are down from 33 to 21 at the same point in 2025, while level crossing incidents are up from 11 to 13

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

Modern Train at Cork Station Platform in Ireland

Failed €50m Irish Rail IT project to face €226,000 independent review

Public Accounts Committee hears failed rail traffic management project cost €50m, with a further €226,000 review now under way

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Modern Train at Cork Station Platform in Ireland

Firm behind Irish Rail's failed €50m IT system has not delivered product to any country, Dáil committee to hear

Spanish company Indra had assured Irish Rail a 'generic product' would be delivered to Ireland in 2021, two years after the company won the contract to upgrade the rail management system, saying two other countries would also have the product deployed on their systems before Ireland

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

NTA bus fare increases for Cork City labelled as 'sneaky and underhanded'

NTA bus fare increases for Cork City labelled as 'sneaky and underhanded'

Children under eight and anyone with a Free Travel Pass will still be eligible to travel for free

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Cork will not have electric bus charging infrastructure until 2028, NTA confirms

Cork will not have electric bus charging infrastructure until 2028, NTA confirms

Currently, Cork cannot use electric buses as it does not have charging infrastructure, and the NTA has not bought new diesel-only buses for several years

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Labour leadership

Time to trust local government, just like Andy Burnham trusts Manchester

Our political system is among the most centralised in Europe, where decisions affecting communities in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and towns across the island are decided in Dublin, writes Cork councillor Peter Horgan

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

98 new electric buses still in storage due to lack of chargers

98 new electric buses still in storage due to lack of chargers

384 buses had been in storage over the past four years, with 98 electric buses still awaiting deployment

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Fuel Support Scheme

No contactless payment system on public transport outside Dublin until after 2028, minister says

The project will allow passengers to pay for journeys using debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and other digital payment methods

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

unleaded petrol and diesel fuel pumps at a self service petrol station in the UK

Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels leaves public exposed to fuel price shocks, report warns

Climate council says targeted supports and cleaner transport options are needed to protect consumers and emissions goals

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

All electric buses currently in storage to join fleet by next year, says NTA

All electric buses currently in storage to join fleet by next year, says NTA

Last week, it was revealed that nearly €7m has been spent on storage and servicing of 132 electric buses.

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Irish Rail looking at other options after writing off failed €50m IT project, committee told

Irish Rail looking at other options after writing off failed €50m IT project, committee told

The software, which was part of an effort to deliver a national railway control centre in Dublin, was expected to be delivered in 2024 at a cost of under €20m

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Modern Train at Cork Station Platform in Ireland

Irish Rail to detail litany of failures behind €50m traffic system

The system was part of an overarching project to deliver a national train control centre at Dublin's Heuston Station

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Taoiseach urges GAA and Rugby club supporters to engage with Luas Cork consultation

Taoiseach urges GAA and Rugby club supporters to engage with Luas Cork consultation

Micheál Martin acknowledges 'serious issues' around Luas Cork preferred route cutting through Bishopstown GAA and Highfield Rugby grounds

Mon, 08 Jun, 2026

Delay in installing bus charging points forces transfer of over 100 buses from Limerick to Cork

Delay in installing bus charging points forces transfer of over 100 buses from Limerick to Cork

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould said: 'The government haven’t bought a new diesel-only bus since 2019. That would be fine if there was somewhere to charge electric buses. There isn’t.'

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026