Be Safer, Greener and Calmer – Use Public Transport this Christmas
Traveling around Cork by bus this Christmas is easier and more affordable than ever. Bus Éireann operates 25 routes on the Cork city bus service, including Ireland’s first 24-hour city service on the Route 220 between Ballincollig and Carrigaline. In 2019, the Cork city bus service was responsible for almost 16 million passenger journeys. When using a TFI Leap Card on a Bus Éireann PSO service, customers can get a 30% discount on all single fares and the new TFI Go mobile app allows passengers to buy a single or 10 journey ticket directly from their phone. We encourage people across Cork city to leave their car at home and take the bus where possible when doing their Christmas shopping this December. Bus Éireann services in Cork city are currently operating at 100% capacity, with touchpoint cleaning during the day and deep cleaning of the buses each night. Customers should continue to wear face coverings within bus stations and on board throughout their entire journey.
Iarnród Éireann has advised customers to avail of public transport services, including rail services, in the run up to Christmas. The rail company has an extensive range of services to/from Cork City on the Cobh, Midleton and Mallow lines for those travelling for work, leisure and retail reasons. As well as helping customers avoid congestion at such a busy time of year, Iarnród Éireann has a range of measures in place to ensure a safe travelling environment during COVID-19, including: Face coverings are mandatory on board and in stations, Enhanced cleaning is taking place in trains and stations, with a focus on customer touchpoints, Cashless payment options are available, including Leapcard on Cobh and Mallow lines, and online booking or ticket vending machine purchases, All stations have hand sanitiser dispensers available for customers
It is even easier this Christmas as there are extended opening hours and free parking at the Black Ash Park & Ride site for the month of December.
Frank Fitzgerald, Cork City Council’s Road Safety Awareness Officer, urges everyone to take care over Christmas and the New Year. “The figures are stark” he said. “On average, 17 people die and 142 are seriously injured at this time each year. Seven out of ten fatalities and almost two thirds of serious injuries are male. The time between 4pm to 8pm is the highest risk for accidents. So taking a safe and green method of travel is the best present you can give over Christma
