Eoin Hayes
Question:210. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his view on whether Bus Connects will be complete by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68651/25]
View answerThursday, 4 December 2025
Questions (210)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of BusConnects.
BusConnects is providing a transformative programme of investments in the bus services across five cities in Ireland. In each city the programme will involve a mix of network redesign, new electric bus fleet, and the provision of segregated bus and cycling facilities to support more efficient journey times for sustainable transport modes.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department recently published its NDP Sectoral Plan, setting out indicative timelines for major transport projects, including the five BusConnects programmes. Indicative timelines indicate some BusConnects construction components will extend beyond 2030.
Steady progress has been made in developing and implementing BusConnects in recent years.
In relation to BusConnects Dublin, which is the most advanced of the programmes, there have been some positive developments recently, with An Coimisiún Pleanála having approved all 12 of the BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridor Schemes. The first of these Schemes, the Liffey Valley to City Centre Core Bus Corridor, is due to enter construction this month, while the contract for the second, the Ballymun-Finglas Core Bus Corridor, was signed this week and will enter construction in 2026.
The first seven phases of new bus service routes as part of the bus network in Dublin have been implemented. The NTA rolled out Phase 7, the F-Spine (Finglas to Tallaght) in October 2025.
There are currently circa 120 double-deck electric buses in service in Dublin and 60 in Limerick. Further electric buses will roll-out over the coming years.
BusConnects Cork received Government approval at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines in October 2025. This will enable the major infrastructure element, the Sustainable Transport Corridors, to enter the planning system in 2026.
BusConnects Waterford, Galway and Limerick are in their earlier stages compared to BusConnects Cork and Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.