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

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

The temporary bus depot will allow buses to move out of the current depot at Capwell, pictured, which is currently operating over capacity, so works can take place to allow electric buses to be charged there. Picture: Chani Anderson

A temporary bus depot in Cork to ease capacity pressure is finally operational, over a year later than planned and way over budget, Bus Éireann has confirmed.

The temporary bus depot will allow buses to move out of the current depot at Capwell, which is currently operating over capacity, so works can take place to allow electric buses to be charged there.

The depot at the former Tata Steel facility within the Port of Cork’s Tivoli Industrial Estate was originally set to be up and running in the first half of 2025, but this has been pushed out three times, while the preliminary estimated cost of €10.7m has risen to €17m.

A Bus Éireann spokesperson confirmed: “The depot at Tivoli is now operational, with live operations commencing from the start of August.

“The project to install EV charging infrastructure at Capwell is progressing as planned, as this creates space to deliver those works. The first stage of this project will be the construction of a new electrical substation on the site at Capwell.” 

The National Transport Authority (NTA) previously said charging infrastructure at Capwell would not become available until 2028.

Planning conditions imposed by Cork City Council when granting permission for Tivoli “require that operations shall cease and that the site shall be fully reinstated before December 31, 2030”, to enable housing development.

Because of this, the NTA said recently it planned to submit a planning application for two permanent bus depots, at Kinsale Road and Little Island, this year and next.

Information provided to the Public Accounts Committee recently noted the lease agreement signed with Port of Cork provides for an extension of planning permission beyond the end of 2030.

When asked if it was planning to seek an extension, Bus Éireann said it “is not in a position to comment on planning applications for Tivoli depot at this time”.