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BusConnects
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BusConnects
BusConnects is an ongoing public transport infrastructure programme in Ireland, managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), focused on the bus networks in several cities in the country. 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 have proven controversial with local politicians, residents, and unions in both Dublin and Cork.
BusConnects was announced by then-Minister for Transport Shane Ross in May 2017, with the intention of increasing bus use in Dublin city by 50%. The intended network of "next generation" bus corridors were originally scheduled for completion by 2027; however, by 2022 the Government had pushed the end date back to 2030. Initially estimated to cost around €1 billion, the project is now expected to cost between €2.6bn and €3.37bn by the time it is completed in 2030.
In 2017, a report commissioned by the NTA and produced by US-based consulting firm Jarrett Walker + Associates (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".
In promotional material from March 2026, the aims of the BusConnects project in Dublin were described thus:
BusConnects is designed to connect more people to more places through an enhanced bus system, via integration with other public transport initiatives that links communities to the city centre. Alongside improved cycling and pedestrian facilities across Dublin, BusConnects aims to enhance pedestrians' quality of life by delivering a safer and more sustainable transport system.
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:
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.
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BusConnects
BusConnects is an ongoing public transport infrastructure programme in Ireland, managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), focused on the bus networks in several cities in the country. 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 have proven controversial with local politicians, residents, and unions in both Dublin and Cork.
BusConnects was announced by then-Minister for Transport Shane Ross in May 2017, with the intention of increasing bus use in Dublin city by 50%. The intended network of "next generation" bus corridors were originally scheduled for completion by 2027; however, by 2022 the Government had pushed the end date back to 2030. Initially estimated to cost around €1 billion, the project is now expected to cost between €2.6bn and €3.37bn by the time it is completed in 2030.
In 2017, a report commissioned by the NTA and produced by US-based consulting firm Jarrett Walker + Associates (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".
In promotional material from March 2026, the aims of the BusConnects project in Dublin were described thus:
BusConnects is designed to connect more people to more places through an enhanced bus system, via integration with other public transport initiatives that links communities to the city centre. Alongside improved cycling and pedestrian facilities across Dublin, BusConnects aims to enhance pedestrians' quality of life by delivering a safer and more sustainable transport system.
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:
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.