What's the frequency, Kenneth?- National Transport Authority presents Bus Connect plans for Waterford
The plan could mark the end of Waterford's one-way loop bus service.
An ambitious plan for for public transport in Waterford City was unveiled at the recent meeting of the the Metro Council.
Interim Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority (NTA), Hugh Creegan and Principal associate at Jarret Walker + Associates, Michelle Poyourow presented an outline of the project.
Jarret Walker + Associates are a specialist bus transport design company and have been working to design a bus system for Waterford.
Bus Connects is the NTA's program to improve bus services and cycling facilities across Irish cities, in line with the Climate Action Plan.
Mr Creegan said: "Its a key part of Government policy to try and improve public transport and to try and address climate change in cities across across the country.
He added: "We've currently engaged an international company to design a new ticketing system for all our public transport services across Ireland that allows people to use debit and credit cards and mobile phones for payments."
Ms Poyourow stated that Bus Connects is focused on the urban portion of Waterford, focusing on the five Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus routes: W1, W2, W3, W4 and W5. She stated that the existing bus network of one-way loops is no longer efficient for Waterford.
She said: "As Waterford grows larger and larger, people want to use the bus to make journeys within their own area, to go to school and back, or to go to the shops and back, or go to university and back without being taken on a long round of upturn through the center. So basically, Waterford has outgrown this model of one way loops."
According to the report: "In the existing network, the best frequency is offered on just three routes, and it is a 20-minute frequency. In the New Network, five routes will offer all-day 15-minute frequency, and these routes cover much more of the busiest parts of the city. A sixth route will offer 15-minute frequency during weekday peaks."
While the plan was generally welcomed, many Councillors voiced concern over current problems on roads and footpaths in the city.
The report can be viewed in full on busconnects.ie.
