LAST UPDATE | 14 Apr

THE EMERGING PREFERRED Route for Luas Cork has been launched today by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and is open to public consultation for the next eight weeks.

Luas Cork is a proposed 18km long light rail line with up to 24 stops running from Ballincollig to Mahon Point.

It will connect key destinations such as MTU, Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork city centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands, Blackrock and Mahon.

Luas Cork route map

The scheme also includes a new public transport bridge connecting Kent Station to Kennedy Quay and new cycling infrastructure along much of the route.

The Emerging Preferred Route also includes a proposed 1000 vehicle Park & Ride facility in Ballincollig and a Mobility Hub in Mahon. 

Cork is planned to be the fastest-growing city in Ireland over the next 20 years, with a population targeted to grow by 50 to 60% and projects such as Luas Cork are seen as vital to delivering the large-scale regeneration and investment planned for Cork.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) is inviting the public to participate in the consultation on www.luascork.ie.

The consultation is open until Monday 9 June at 5.30pm.

There will also be a number of open days across the city during the consultation where drawings can be inspected and staff from TII will be available to answer questions.

Martin described the announcement today of the Emerging Preferred Route a “significant step in an infrastructure project that will be transformational for Cork city”.

He added that it is government’s plan to do “whatever we can effectively and in a timely matter”.

Martin said the project will “modernise the city’s public transport network, making it more accessible and creating new opportunities for residents, visitors and local businesses”.

“With the consultation process now open, I’d encourage everybody to take this opportunity to provide their feedback and share their views,” said Martin.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien TD noted that Cork has been selected by the European Commission as one of Europe’s first climate-neutral cities.

In 2022, the European Commission announced that Cork is to become one of Europe’s first climate neutral cities.

Cork, along with Dublin, was selected from a group of 337 cities to participate in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030. 

“The development of Luas Cork will play a key role in achieving this goal,” said O’Brien.

“Luas Cork will encourage a shift away from private car use, reducing traffic congestion, lowering carbon emissions, and improving air quality.

“The project will also complement other sustainable transport initiatives, such as expanded bus services and enhanced cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.”

O’Brien, who last month said the Luas Cork could cost between €2 billion and €3 billion, added that it’s “very difficult to estimate” how much the project will cost.

Lord Mayor of Cork City Dan Boyle meanwhile remarked that the “challenge is to see it constructed and operating in the shortest possible time frame”.

Elsewhere, Hugh Creegan, interim CEO of the NTA said that Luas Cork will be the “new era of public transport which will enable Cork to develop into an accessible, connected and vibrant city” while Peter Walsh, CEO of TII, said he looked forward to hearing from the public before progressing to the next stage of design.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said that she wants to “see things moving very fast”.

“It has taken too long,” said Bacik, who called for construction to begin by 2030.

“There is a very clear outline coming through and things should move on swiftly and we will be pushing government to make sure it does progress at pace.”