PICTURES: Mayor of Limerick and Minister for Transport officially open Colbert Station Interchange

MAYOR of Limerick, John Moran was joined by Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan at a special ceremony to officially open the Colbert Transport Interchange last Tuesday. The newly redeveloped Colbert Station Interchange provides improved multi modal connectivity for public transport users providing a fitting welcome for the many visitors to the city.

The Colbert Station Transport Interchange has delivered:

Transformed customer-focused station building catering for current rail and bus services, and major expansions envisaged under Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS.)

21 new bus bays with canopy at new location.

New bus station building.

New ticket office and retail units.

New surface level car park.

Drop off and pick up area.

Colbert Plaza, offering a unique amenity space.

The project was delivered by Iarnród Éireann Capital Investments Division in partnership with contractor Conack. The project took 25 months to complete and was delivered under budget at a total cost of €23million, which was funded by the National Transport Authority.

The project was constructed in six phases with the station remaining open throughout.

Colbert station is a protected structure, the new interchange and plaza design are designed to enhance the original building and extend its lifespan.

The project has been shortlisted for an Irish Construction Industry Award, the award winners will be announced on November 7.

Future phases of the project include: replacement of the train hall roof fabric and new office accommodation on the south side of the station.

A planning application will be lodged for a new station in Moyross in the new year.  A future station is also planned for Ballysimon.

The ultimate objective under Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy  (LSMATS) is to deliver an integrated multi-modal public transport network based on a Transit-Oriented Development approach to the growth of the city and suburbs. This approach would support a frequent, reliable and sustainable rail service for the people of Limerick, reducing reliance on private cars.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, said: “Colbert Station is a beautiful new station that befits the majestic city of Limerick. The design has built on the history of the existing protected structure, and has added to it, with new covered bus bays and an inviting public plaza at the front. It is everything that is great about public transport. Bustling activity with people heading off or arriving on trains and buses, with regular connections from here in the centre of the city to places right across the county, region as well as the country.

“But Limerick is only warming up, with further ambitious transport plans for the wider metropolitan area, linking Shannon and Limerick with rail stations and new services along the way, and making it easier for people to get into and out of the city without the stress of congestion. This is a good day for Limerick. This is a good day for public transport.”

Chief Executive of the NTA, Anne Graham, commented: “Investing in high-quality interchange infrastructure is central to the delivery of any integrated public transport system, and the development at Colbert is a good example of how this can work well. It’s very positive to see the facility up and running and we welcome the greatly improved experience that customers will enjoy here into the future.”

Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade, said: “I started my career here at Limerick and worked in this station for many, many years. To say it is now transformed is an understatement. It has become a fitting terminus station for the city of Limerick and provides excellent multi modal connectivity for bus, rail and active transport. The transport interchange has future proofed public transport for the city of Limerick for generations to come.”

Stephen Kent, Chief Executive of Bus Éireann, added: “Bus Éireann is proud to operate in this new, modern and customer focused interchange at Colbert. As we have already commenced the first regional city fully electric fleet for Limerick, our services in the entire Mid-West region are expanding. This new station helps us to deliver further growth and to deliver a first class service to our customers, as we connect them to the people and communities that matter most to them.”

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