Over 6% of Cork City bus kilometres lost in first half of 2026

More than 6% of planned bus kilometres in Cork City were not travelled in the first half of 2026, with mechanical faults identified as the principal cause.

The National Transport Authority measures reliability using “lost kilometres”, comparing actual kilometres run against the schedule across thirteen four‑week periods. Data up to the end of mid‑June show that 6.3% of scheduled kilometres were missed, either through cancellations or incomplete routes.

Mechanical issues accounted for just over half of the lost kilometres. Staffing shortages and traffic congestion were the next most common reasons.

Among the city’s routes, the 208 (Lotabeg to Curraheen) performed worst, with 13% of trips not operating, followed by the 202 (Hollyhill to Mahon Point) at 9%, and the 207 and 203 each at 7.5%. The 226 and 225, serving the airport, missed only 1% and 2% of trips respectively.

Cork cannot receive new electric buses until charging infrastructure is in place, a project delayed until 2028. The city has relied on about 50 second‑hand buses from Limerick since 2020, while a temporary depot is being used to accommodate future electric chargers.

Overall, the lost‑kilometre rate has risen from 5.4% in the first four weeks of the year to 7.6% in the period covering mid‑May to mid‑June, suggesting further challenges ahead.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Tom Fisk / Pexels.