Limerick in 'tough fight' to get BusConnects scheme started, says John Moran

The Limerick mayor has launched a petition calling for action on the project, saying 'it is now time to make our voices count'

The Limerick mayor has now launched a petition as the 'Government keeps backtracking on the delivery of BusConnects'.

Limerick mayor John Moran has urged the Government to kickstart the city's BusConnects scheme, which was due to begin three years ago.

It comes as the National Transport Authority (NTA) said the planned implementation timeline was 2028. 

In response to a recent parliamentary question by Limerick TD Conor Sheehan, seeking an update on the timeline of the scheme rollout, the NTA stated: “Implementation dates are subject to the outcome of discussions with the Department of Transport on funding for new services.

"While work to progress the project continues, the pace at which these activities can be completed is dictated by the level of funding that is made available to the NTA.”

Mr Moran, the country's first directly elected mayor, has now launched a petition calling for action on the project as the “Government keeps backtracking on the delivery of BusConnects”.

“Limerick is in for a tough fight to get BusConnects back on track. Dublin's Metro North and Children's Hospital keep gobbling up money but we know what we stand for in the Mid-West — ourselves, our kids and their futures. It is now time to make our voices count,” he said.

There had previously been pushback in Limerick after it emerged the scheme, which was due to begin in 2025, would be delayed until 2027.

A detailed plan is due to be published this year, setting out the elements of the BusConnects proramme to be advanced “within available funding, including in Limerick”.

The redesign of the bus network aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.

It follows similar schemes announced in Dublin and Cork.