BusConnects Limerick completion timeline delayed to 2030, Dáil hears
Thursday 2 July 2026
The projected completion date for BusConnects Limerick has been delayed to 2030, with estimated project costs rising up to €3.4 billion, according to statements in the Dáil.
The delivery timeline for the BusConnects project in Limerick has been pushed out to 2030, representing a four-year delay to the original 2027 target date, the Dáil has heard.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate, Deputy Maurice Quinlivan highlighted that the project has been impacted by delays, postponements, and rising costs. According to Deputy Quinlivan, the estimated costs for the project have increased from an initial €1 billion to between €2.6 billion and €3.4 billion. He stated that the lack of progress on BusConnects is impacting the economic development and liveability of Limerick, particularly in newly developed residential areas.
Specific gaps in local transport infrastructure were cited during the debate, including the Condell Road area, where hundreds of recently built homes remain without local bus services despite having dedicated bus lanes in place. Similarly, the Kilteragh estate in Dooradoyle lacks a direct service, leaving residents 2 km away from the nearest bus stop at the Crescent Shopping Centre.
In response, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, stated that the National Transport Authority (NTA) developed the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy to enable sustainable growth up to 2040. Minister of State Buttimer noted that the NTA, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Bus Éireann, carried out an extensive review of the Limerick bus network in 2023 to progress the Limerick BusConnects programme.