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

From today, passengers using Bus Éireann's Cork city bus services can transfer between buses as often as they need within 90 minutes for a single fare of €1.70. Picture Larry Cummins

Changes to Cork city buses intended to make services faster and encourage people to take multiple buses have begun today — but they come with a price increase for most passengers.

From today, passengers using Bus Éireann's Cork city bus services can transfer between buses as often as they need within 90 minutes for a single fare of €1.70.

Passengers can also tap their Leap Card on new on-board ticket validators, located on a pole near the entrance.

Announcing the changes last week, Bus Éireann said the new validators mean passengers no longer need to go to the driver when boarding, “reducing boarding times, keeping services moving, and improving the overall reliability and punctuality of Cork city bus services”.

They added: “More than 5,000 passengers every week already make journeys involving more than one bus, but this new service opens up the network to more travellers in a way that makes it quicker, easier and simpler.

“Whether travelling to work, college, shopping trips or appointments, passengers will enjoy greater flexibility and better value when using Cork’s bus network.”

Single-trip fares increase

However, the changes come with new “simplified” fares that represent an increase for adult passengers making a single journey.

Adult Leap Card fares will increase from the current fares of €1.35 and €1.55, depending on distance travelled, to a single flat fare of €1.70, while cash fares will rise from €1.90 or €2.20 to €2.40.

Child Leap fares are falling from 65c to 55c, and child cash fares are dropping from 90c to 80c, while young adult and student Leap Card fares have increased by 10c to 85c from this morning.

Children under eight and anyone with a Free Travel Pass will continue to travel free by tapping their card on the new validators.

Concerns over network reliability

Green Party councillor for Cork City North East Oliver Moran said: “On-board ticketing is a key plank of BusConnects and, under this government, one of the few elements people will see on the ground.

“It means less time spent at stops and allows drivers to focus on their primary job, getting people to where they need to go quickly.” 

However, he continued: “That comes with a sting in the tail for bus users. In practice, a 90-minute fare isn't going to be practical for most users in Cork.

“The network isn't reliable enough to be able to plan changes between buses. So the increase in price doesn't mean being able to switch between routes on a single ticket, it just means higher fares.”