A new €8 million investment project hopes to encourage more people in Cork to use public transport, Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly said today.
Speaking in Cork, Mr Kelly said the investment package will go to projects designed to improve public.transport, cycling and walking in the city and suburbs.
Cork city has relatively low public transport usage, just 8 per cent of commuters in the city and the suburbs using public transport compared to 21 per cent in Dublin, said Mr Kelly.
Cork also has a relatively low cycling share with just 2 per cent of commuters using bikes to get to school and work and the projects are aimed at encouraging people to leave their cars at home.
"We want more people to use public transport, cycle and walk to work or school. But people need the necessary infrastructure to make the choice to change their mode of travel.
"This investment programme is a welcome step to improve local traffic pinch points and to enhance more sustainable transport patterns for the people of Cork city," he said.
Among the projects are a €1 million investment in improving public transport and pedestrian and cycling facilities in the city centre and €600,000 to improve access to Kent Station.
Other projects include a new cycle route linking the city to UCC and a cycle corridors to link both Douglas on the southside and Ballyvolane on the northside to the city centre.
