Limerick Chamber gives views on delay to BusConnects project

THE chief executive of Limerick Chamber has expressed her concern over the latest delay on the BusConnects programme.

It’s emerged the plan, which will transform public transport in the city and its surrounds, will not be operational until 2027 - a delay of almost two years.

And Michelle Gallagher, who heads up Limerick Chamber has warned this will have far reaching consequences for both employees and business owners across the city.

She said it’s important BusConnects is implemented on schedule this year.

“The region has reached almost 279,000 people in employment, a regional record, yet despite this continued growth there is continued failure to adequately address the infrastructure gap within an appropriate timeframe. Efficient, reliable, and accessible public transport is not a luxury – it is a necessity for advancing enterprise and access to work,” said Mrs Gallagher.

“Increased bus routes and enhanced service frequency are essential to ensuring that our employees can get to work safely and on time, and that businesses can thrive in a connected and sustainable urban environment. The recent reports of the delay in rollout of BusConnects is most concerning and the impact will be felt throughout scaling and existing businesses,” added the chief executive of the Chamber, which is the largest business representative organisation in the region.

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As a group, the Chamber has also voiced concern over the fact Annacotty Business Park is excluded from the current BusConnects plan.

“Annacotty Business Park is not peripheral – it is central to Limerick’s commercial ecosystem,” Mrs Gallagher said. “Its exclusion from the BusConnects plan risks undermining the very objective of the programme, which is to enhance access and mobility for all. We have undertaken numerous surveys with employees of the park. Our findings outline huge support for a bus route with 97% of respondents supporting increased public transport to their place of work.”

Off the back of this, Limerick Chamber is calling on the National Transport Authority and relevant stakeholders to urgently prioritise delivery in Limerick.

“Limerick’s public transport future cannot be left in a holding pattern,” Mrs Gallagher said.

“We need swift, decisive action to ensure that BusConnects delivers for all areas of the city – not just a select few. Delays and oversights will cost us – in lost productivity, talent retention challenges, and diminished regional competitiveness.”