Investing in Public & Sustainable Transport

Cork Public Bike Scheme

In the context of Government formation, the commitment to delivering the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy must be kept solidly on the national and regional transport investment agenda. CMATS is a crucial building block to ensuring the sustainable development of Cork, and nationally we must avoid the difficult lessons of the previous recessionary period where investment in public transport became a good to have instead of a must have, a legacy we are still overcoming today.

A key element of our public transport offering in Cork City is the public bike scheme. Cork Chamber has recently called on the National Transport Authority to continue their commitment to enhancing the scheme, and deliver the ten additional bike stations, originally planned for 2019. The scheme has undeveloped potential to connect existing transport routes, increase the accessibility and permeability of Cork City, and diversify commuter options. In a previous survey conducted by Cork Chamber to the business community, there was a clear demand for the employment and student hubs of Cork University Hospital, Blackpool Shopping Centre, Cork Institute of Technology and commuter locations as Douglas to be connected to the scheme.

Over the last number of years and across the rail and bus services there has been a significant increase in passenger numbers, reflecting the appetite in Cork for enhanced public transport services and network connectivity. However, the pandemic may impact on public transport usage in the short to medium term, creating a further immediate and acute need for pedestrian, cycling and e-mobility infrastructure.

In a recent communication with the NTA, we highlighted the importance of the scheme, its ongoing expansion, and the issues around maintenance. We will continue to advocate for support for this scheme and for the whole of CMATS. Without a doubt, to realise metropolitan locations that are sustainable, it is crucial that alongside the larger infrastructure projects, the less costly but highly impactful infrastructure projects continue to be supported.