Hobbs gets on board city’s green bus lane plan
A cartoon character based on the Corkman behind last year’s Rip Off Ireland campaign, which rocked Government, was unveiled by Cork City Council as part of its new campaign to encourage motorists to switch to public transport.
A number of green bus routes, which give priority to buses, cyclists and taxis, have been built citywide.
The council said they hope the ‘Heddy Hobbit’ character will capture the public imagination.
Mr Hobbs, who lent his support to the campaign for free, has given the character his blessing. “He is quite pleased with it,” a council spokesperson said.
Heddy, dressed in Eddie’s distinctive shirts, will feature in the poster and flyer campaign around Cork in the coming weeks.
In one of the posters Heddy asks motorists if they feel “zipped off”.
A council spokesperson said it was hoped the public transport campaign would get that message out into the public realm.
Green bus routes have been constructed along the number eight bus route from Bishopstown to the city. The number eight route from Mayfield to the city is almost complete.
Another green lane has been constructed on the number six bus route from Grange to the city, while another route is under construction from the airport.
Construction on the number two route from Knocknaheeny-Gurranabraher to the city is due to start soon.
Plans for the number three route from Farranree are going through the public consultation phase.
The city side of the Ballincollig route is at public consultation stage.
In all 10 green bus routes are planned. The routes operate at peak times: 7.30am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm weekdays.
They are designed amid predictions that commuter traffic will slow to eight kilometres an hour by 2020.
