LIMERICK Chamber has written to the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, calling for an urgent funding commitment and clear delivery pathway for the rollout of BusConnects.
The proposed rollout has now been pushed back to 2028 representing a four-year set back, extending the timeline to nearly nine years since the infrastructure was first referenced in the transport LSMATS (Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy) plan.
Limerick Chamber hit out at the timeline describing it as unacceptable at a time when Government is seeking to accelerate infrastructure delivery and send positive signals to business and investors.
Donnacha Hurley, CEO of Limerick Chamber, said: “Limerick Chamber is extremely disappointed at the continued delay to Limerick BusConnects. This is a major infrastructure delivery failure that risks undermining Limerick’s economic development, competitiveness and quality of life.”
“Limerick is growing. Businesses are investing. Our population is increasing. To support the region’s ambitious growth and foster continued development, we need immediate government action. The city and region are being asked to deliver compact growth, regeneration, climate action, and balanced regional development. Our business leaders and communities are stepping up to the plate. Yet the public transport infrastructure required to make that possible is being pushed further down the line,” Mr Hurley said.
He added: “A 2028 rollout represents a four-year delay and an almost nine-year timeline since BusConnects was first raised for Limerick. That is simply not good enough. It sends the wrong message to the business community, to investors, to workers and to communities who need reliable, frequent and accessible public transport now.”
“Without the necessary funding, Limerick risks continued car dependency, worsening congestion, longer commute times and reduced access to opportunity. That will damage both economic development and liveability. The Government cannot talk about balanced regional development and increase infrastructure provision while allowing key enabling infrastructure in regional cities to drift.”
“We are calling on Government, Minister O’Brien and the Department of Transport to provide an immediate and clear funding commitment for Limerick BusConnects, along with a credible delivery pathway.”
The 2025 Progress Report for Dublin states that the Dublin network design has reached Stage 7 of 11. There has been a 30 per cent increase in passenger boardings and a 12 per cent improvement in punctuality, while Cork also approaches its launch date. Limerick’s rollout was previously postponed to 2025, 2027, and now 2028.