Free parking initiative aims to support traders amid car ban

A free bus and parking initiative is being introduced in Cork city today to support traders who say the St Patrick’s St car ban has decimated afternoon trade.

The targeted package includes two hours of free parking in the city council-run multi-storey car parks and the waiving of the €5 fee for the city’s park and ride bus service, from noon daily, and a marketing campaign.

The chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, who announced the measures last night, said she hopes they will “bring confidence back to customers to visit the city centre”.