Developing a Connected and Sustainable Cork
The National Transport Authority’s Park and Ride Development Office (PRDO) is developing a Park & Ride Strategy for the Cork Metropolitan Area to support the delivery of a more sustainable, accessible and integrated transport network across Cork.
The strategy builds on the framework established by the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) and will identify the most appropriate locations and formats for future strategic Park & Ride facilities serving Cork City and its wider metropolitan area.
The strategy aims to help people travelling from areas beyond the reach of frequent public transport services to complete part of their journey by car and transfer conveniently to high quality public transport, walking or cycling connections for onward travel into the city and other key destinations.
Why Park & Ride?
Cork continues to experience population growth and increased travel demand. Many journeys into the city originate outside areas currently served by frequent public transport, contributing to congestion, reduced journey reliability, air pollution and carbon emissions.
Strategically located Park & Ride facilities can:
- Provide convenient access to public transport for people travelling from surrounding towns and rural areas.
- Reduce the number of car trips entering the city centre and other major employment locations.
- Improve journey reliability by connecting directly to bus, rail and future mass transit services.
- Support national and regional climate action objectives by encouraging a shift towards more sustainable travel modes.
- Enhance access to employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities across the metropolitan area.
Strategy Development
The PRDO is currently finalising the Park & Ride Strategic Location Selection: Cork report.
Unlike the Park & Ride strategies developed for the Greater Dublin Area, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, the Cork strategy is being prepared as a supporting document to CMATS and will provide further refinement of the Park & Ride locations previously identified within the transport strategy.
The strategy is assessing a range of factors including:
- Existing and planned public transport services.
- Future BusConnects Cork corridors.
- Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme proposals.
- Land use and development patterns.
- Road network accessibility.
- Integration with walking and cycling infrastructure.
- Environmental and planning considerations.
Potential Strategic Locations
CMATS previously identified a number of indicative locations where strategic Park & Ride facilities could be developed, subject to detailed assessment and feasibility analysis.
These locations include:
- Blarney / Stoneview
- Dunkettle
- Carr’s Hill
- Bandon Road Corridor
- Ballincollig
- Other strategic metropolitan locations identified through the strategy development process
Final recommendations on locations, scale, access arrangements and delivery priorities will be set out in the completed strategy.
Integration with BusConnects Cork and Rail Investment
A key principle of the strategy is that Park & Ride facilities must be supported by high quality public transport services that offer reliable, attractive alternatives to driving into the city.
The development of future Park & Ride facilities will therefore align closely with:
- BusConnects Cork.
- The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
- Existing and future railway stations.
- Potential future mass transit and rapid transit corridors.
- Local active travel networks.
Experience internationally and across Ireland demonstrates that successful Park & Ride facilities depend on fast, frequent and reliable onward public transport services. The strategy seeks to ensure that future investment in Cork delivers the greatest benefit for public transport users and the wider transport network.
Existing Park & Ride Facilities
Black Ash Park & Ride continues to provide an important transport service for Cork City and is being enhanced through wider public transport investment initiatives.
Planned improvements at Black Ash, including a new bus interchange supporting the rollout of the BusConnects Cork network, will strengthen connections between the city centre, Cork Airport, Kent Station, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital and surrounding communities.
Next Steps
The Park & Ride Strategic Location Selection: Cork report will establish a clear framework for the future development of strategic Park & Ride facilities across the Cork Metropolitan Area.
Following publication of the strategy, recommended sites will progress through further feasibility, design, planning and funding processes in partnership with local authorities, transport operators and other stakeholders.
The strategy represents an important step towards delivering a connected, sustainable and integrated transport system that supports Cork’s future growth while improving travel options for residents, workers and visitors.
