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BusConnects is a public transport infrastructure programme, managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), focused on the bus networks in several cities in Ireland. Described by the NTA as intended to "improve bus services across the country", as of mid-2022 the programme was in "implementation" phase in Dublin, "consultation" phase in Cork, with the Minister for Transport projecting similar initiatives in Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Aspects of the plans proved controversial with local politicians, residents, and unions in both Dublin and Cork.
In 2017, a report commissioned by the NTA and produced by US-based consulting firm Jarrett Walker (previously involved in similar projects in New Zealand), set out a number of options for the redesign of Dublin's bus transport network. The proposed purpose of the redesign was to improve network functionality and increase bus ridership in the Dublin area. The report noted that the existing network focused on radial routes (from the suburbs into the city centre) and had very few orbital or crossing routes (from suburb to suburb). Arising from this report, an initial network proposal was released for public consultation in mid-2018. According to Newstalk, BusConnects designer Jarrett Walker described the Dublin project as "the most politically charged he'd ever been involved with." 72,000 submissions were lodged by the Irish public during the various stages of public consultation prior to the beginning of BusConnects.
According to a press release issued by the Department of Transport in March 2022, it was noted that, while a "final budget and delivery schedule for BusConnects Dublin" had not been established, the proposed budget was then projected to be €4 billion and work speculated to "be substantially complete by 2030".
During both the implementation and consultation phases, the BusConnects projects in Dublin attracted significant controversy and criticism, including from service users, residents, politicians, and transport unions. As of 2022, concerns included route coverage, total journey times, allowing for route access and changes, actual performance and "no shows", property "taking" required to implement routes, and reduction in road space for existing commuter traffic. Similar sentiments were expressed in Ballyfermot that same year.
Molly Cantwell, writing for Newstalk in February 2025 questioned whether the roll out of Busconnects had contributed to the rising issue of 'ghost buses' across Ireland (buses which appear on digital display boards but then disappear from the boards without a bus showing up). Dublin Bus CEO Billy Hann replied that "When we're changing routes or bringing in a new spine or a new local area and network, you'll always get some complaints, because some people are not getting the service that they feel that they once had (..) But by and large, it's still producing 25% extra connectivity to the greater Dublin area."
In March 2025, RTÉ News recorded that there was "a 48% increase in the number of passenger boardings in areas of Dublin where new BusConnnects routes are operating compared to the rest of the bus network", but that there was still significant room for improvement with regards to the punctuality of the new services.
A bi-annual report is published, which updates on the progress of the BusConnects project in Dublin.
As of mid-2024, approximately €24m had been spent on proposed BusConnects initiatives in Cork, including at least €2.5 million on consultation efforts, with planning applications due to be submitted "on a phased basis beginning in the first quarter of 2025".
Initiatives
Dublin
The BusConnects programme in Dublin was split into phases, for which the main consultation initiatives concluded in 2020. The NTA began implementing the new network in stages, starting in 2021. These included:
Cork
The consultation phase for the proposed BusConnects project in Cork was opened in 2022. The published proposals attracted significant controversy and complaint from home-owners, politicians, transport unions, and other stakeholders. According to reports from mid-2022, concerns were raised in particular about the proposed demolition of old stone walls, the potential for nearly 1000 properties to lose parts of their gardens through compulsory purchase orders, the loss of sections of Ballybrack Woods in Douglas, and the felling of 1,400 mature trees along proposed routes.
Limerick
In February 2023, the National Transport Authority published a draft version of a new bus network for Limerick city. At that time, the network redesign was intended to be rolled out in 2025.
Other cities
As of March 2022, the then Minister of Transport proposed "acceleration" and a rollout of BusConnects initiatives to Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
See also
External links
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