6.3.6.8 | Bus Within all three Metropolitan Areas, continued investment in bus infrastructure and services is a priority for sustainable mobility. Programmes proposed for delivery during the period to 2027 under the NDP includes the BusConnects programme for all of Ireland’s cities inclusive of bus corridors, additional capacity and passenger facilities. Metropolitan Transport Strategies for Cork, Limerick-Shannon and Waterford will further address strengthening bus networks and services. Beyond the Region’s three cities, bus services are the backbone of the regional public transport system and investment will be focused on improving connectivity between regional settlements and enhancing the reliability and the level of service within key settlements. Commuter rail services Commuter rail services will be enhanced by the concentration of development within railway catchments to support existing and new stations. There is potential for further expansion of commuter rail services based on planned developments along the rail corridor and feasibility. Freight The current absence of State funding, capital or subvention, dictates a commercial focus for rail freight which limits it role to nichemarkets. Experience in other European jurisdictions clearly shows the contribution of rail freight to improved carbon footprint and reduced road congestion. There is potential to develop rail freight, such as the Limerick-Foynes rail link and the development of Limerick Junction for rail freight logistics, and to utilise the existing rail infrastructure at Waterford Port and Rosslare Europort.
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Rail It is an objective to seek to strengthen investment in the maintenance, improvement and strengthening of the rail network in the Region subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the outcome of the planning process. This will provide for: • Future proofed infrastructures for rail in our transition to smart transport networks and low carbon society.
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Improved journey times, services and passenger facilities to encourage greater use of rail travel between cities, towns and villages on the rail network across the Region. Take immediate actions to transition transport fleets to non-fossil fuel and renewable / low emission energy sources. Invest in integrated, real-time, passenger information systems and passenger facilities including weather proofed facilities. Optimisation of the existing rail network assets and the protection of these assets for our region’s transition to greater levels of sustainable mobility, use of rail and achievement of lower carbon emissions. Investment in upgrading andmodernisation of fleet, rail infrastructure and passenger facilities. Investment in commuter rail stations and services, especially in cities, suburbs and metropolitan areas. Investment in bike- and-ride and park- and-ride and multi-modal transport interconnection facilities with rail networks. Achieve improved and consistent journey times and frequencies. As identified in the National Development Plan, the Dublin – Limerick Junction/Cork rail lines are subject to an examination to move to higher speeds leading to improved connectivity to regional cities through improved rail journey times. An evaluation of the economic benefits of high-speed rail between Dublin-Belfast, Dublin-Limerick Junction and Dublin- Cork against improvements to existing line speeds will be carried out against relevant appraisal processes and value-for-money tests required by the Public Spending Code by 2020. and investment in infrastructure to achieve high-speed intercity rail services. Support feasibility assessments Optimise rail freight to ports in the Southern Region.
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