As buses get priority on Patrick's Street, fares are reduced to €1

BUS users in Cork will be set for major savings under a new promotion by Bus Éireann offering €1 fares.

The five week promotion will come into effect on August 9 to coincide with the reintroduction of the bus priority measures on Patrick Street.

In conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Bus Éireann will cut the price of journeys in the Leap Red Zone, which comprises of most of the city, suburbs and Carrigaline. From 2pm daily, trips into and out of the city will cost €1 for adults and students and 50c for children.

The offering will be in place until the end of the day each day.

Users of the extended park & ride service will also be able to enjoy the bus promotions. The current arrangement of paying for a car and presenting the ticket to the bus driver will continue but walk-in passengers at the Black Ash facility will be charged at promotional rates during the term of the offer.

The park and ride will now commence at Black Ash, travelling via the South Link to Eglington Street, Merchant's Quay, Patrick Street, Grand Parade, South Mall and Anglesea Street.

It will no longer stop at Lapp's Quay or Albert Street.

It is one of a number of changes being introduced to drive public transport use in the city centre.

Two of the busiest routes in the city - the 203 from Ballyphehane to Farranree and the 215 from Cloghroe to Mahon Point - have been re-routed to maximise the benefits of the reintroduction of the bus priority lane on Patrick Street.

The changes include a new northbound routing for the 203, with the 215 re-routed via Patrick Street. It is understood that these changes will both be in place by the end of the month, with the buses set to avoid the quays during times of busy traffic.

Further improvements are planned throughout Bus Éireann's offering in Cork in the coming months, too.

The frequency of the 220/220X service from Ballincollig to Carrigaline will increase to every 15 minutes from 7am to 7pm. There are plans for earlier and later departures, as well as increased weekend services.

The 220 route will be extended to Carrigaline primary health care centre, with more services to Crosshaven and Camden. There are also proposals to revise routing in Carrigaline to provide two-way operation at all locations.

Improved connectivity on the route from Ballincollig to the city centre and on to Carrigaline is planned, with improved connections to Passage, Monkstown and Ringaskiddy to facilitate school and work travel.

The final timetable for these changes is still a work in progress and has not been finalised.

To handle the extra demands on city bus services, whose user numbers increased by 23% last year, Bus Éireann has hired 66 drivers since the start of the year. 32 others have left via voluntary severance and retirements. There are also plans to add 12 new double deckers to the fleet next month, with additional vehicles also due to be added in the first quarter of 2019.