Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004
36 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Transport his plans for developing similar new public transport services on the south side of Cork city in view of the Cork suburban rail line initiative introducing new commuter services to the north and east of the city. [15936/04]
View answerAt the present time, the city and county councils in Cork have no plans for the expansion of rail services to the south of Cork City. If, in the future, land use plans make a sound economic case for such investment, then they will be examined. My Department is, however, currently funding bus based public transport projects in the Cork area that emerged from the Cork area strategic plan. To date, a total of €12 million has been committed to the park and ride facility at Black Ash on the southern side of the city with a capacity of 920 cars and the green routes initiative, which provides priority measures for buses on ten routes into and out of the city, including the routes serving the south side.
Two of the green routes are due to be operational this year and proposals for the completion of the remaining eight by the city council by 2007 are being examined currently in my Department. In 2003, my Department also provided specific funding of €235,000 to Bus Éireann for the operation of the southern orbital bus service. In addition, the expansion of bus services serving the southern side of the city is also planned.
