24-hour bus service at the forefront of new Limerick Transport and Mobility Forum

THE NEWLY established Limerick Transport and Mobility Forum (TMF) will officially launch this coming week, with the future of travel and connectivity in the county taking centre stage.

On Monday, September 14 at 3:30pm, the launch event, which will be held at the Citizen Innovation Lab, will focus on ‘BusConnects Limerick: Unlocking Growth, Housing and Opportunity.’

The TMF brings together local representatives from community organisations, business, education, health, transport providers, public bodies and transport user groups with a shared interest in improving transport and mobility across Limerick.

The forum provides a space for members to share information, discuss emerging issues within the sector and identify opportunities for collaboration, with a focus on supporting a transport system that is safe, accessible, sustainable and responsive to the needs of the city and county.

Limerick TMF Chairperson Dave Tobin said the group wanted its first public event to focus on the opportunities that improved public transport can create for Limerick.

He said, “Limerick is in a really exciting period of growth and we want the forum to be a positive space where different sectors can come together around the transport infrastructure needed to support that.

“BusConnects is a great example. Better public transport means better access to jobs, education and services, but it can also support housing, investment and a more accessible and vibrant city. There is a very broad constituency in Limerick that wants to see this progress, and we want to help bring those voices together.”

The BusConnects Limerick network is planned to deliver an approximately 70% increase in bus services across Limerick city and suburbs, including more frequent services, connections to previously unserved areas and a new 24-hour service linking University Hospital Limerick, the city centre and the University of Limerick.

Dr Darren McAdam-O’Connell, TMF National Coordinator, said its broad membership was one of its key strengths.

Speaking on this, he commented, “Transport touches almost every aspect of life in Limerick - how people get to work and education, how businesses access staff and customers, and how communities connect with services and each other.

“The strength of the forum is bringing those different perspectives into the same room. There is a real opportunity to work collaboratively, identify where we share common ground and make a strong case for the transport improvements that will benefit Limerick as a whole,” Dr McAdam-O’Connell added.

The launch will include an economic perspective from Seán Golden of Limerick Chamber, followed by a panel discussion.

Dr McAdam-O’Connell will facilitate contributions from stakeholders, with Mayor of Limerick John Moran delivering closing remarks.

The forum hopes the event will demonstrate the breadth of support across Limerick for progressing BusConnects and for ensuring transport investment keeps pace with the city and region’s growth.