Cork Hero Rob Heffernan launches Cork’s first ever 24 hour Route 220 Bus Service

• Over 60% growth in customer journeys on new improved bus network
• Weekday frequency doubled from every 30 minutes to 15 minutes
• Further improvements planned for the Cork city bus network in 2019

Local hero and Olympic Medalist Rob Heffernan recently launched the Bus Éireann Route 220 (Ballincollig-City Centre-Carragaline-Crosshaven) service in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The service operates as part of the Transport for Ireland public transport network.

Since the enhancements to the service in January, the company has seen an increase of over 60% growth in customer journeys on the Route 220 service.

Further improvements are also planned in Cork city in 2019, including;

• Additional frequency improvements in the Carrigaline area during summer 2019
• 20 new double-deck buses for the city during 2019
• Additional services to Cork Airport

Key points about the Route 220 service include;

• The Route (Ballincollig to Carrigaline via city centre) is now operating 24 hours
• Weekday frequency has doubled from 30 minutes to 15 minutes between 0600 and midnight
• 30/60 minute frequency between midnight and 0600
• All services are now operating to Grange Manor
• Every second service will now operate to Crosshaven
• Customers using a Leap Card can get up to 30% savings on single fares (€2.40 cash compared to €1.68 Leap)

Rob Heffernan said:

“I am very pleased to be working with Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority on the promotion of their first ever 24 hour service in Cork city. As a very passionate man about my hometown, it is great to see so many people availing of the new services and I recommend anyone who hasn’t used them to check them out!”

Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority (NTA) said:

“Developing and enhancing public transport services are what the NTA is all about, and working with Bus Éireann in Cork to make these improvements to the 220, is something that we see as very important and very worthwhile.”

Speaking about the improved service, Martin Walsh, Regional Operations Manager in Cork said:

“This major network enhancement in Cork city has been a great success and we are delighted to see such a significant increase in passenger usage”.

Over 20 new double-deck buses will be delivered to the fleet in Cork in 2019. These buses will have comfortable seating, a dedicated wheelchair space, USB sockets, complimentary Wi-Fi and CCTV security cameras.

Changes were also introduced to other Cork city routes in January including the 220X, 216, 223 and 223X.

For more information, check out the Bus Éireann website www.buseireann.ie