Some 75% of people in Cork use private cars to get across the city, according to figures provided by the National Transport Authority.
The figures are in reverse to Dublin, where the 2024 annual Dublin canal cordon report found that more than 74% of inbound trips were made by public transport or active travel - the highest number since counting began in 1980.
In Galway, 43% of journeys across the city centre were made by bus, rail, walking and cycling, representing an increase of 25% on 2023 figures for bus usage and 6% on rail journeys.
Limerick saw 27% of people travelling inbound using sustainable modes of travel, while Waterford saw just 16% of people not using a car.
The NTA will appear before the Public Accounts Committee this morning where it will detail its financial statements for 2024.
The authority estimates that the cost of congestion will reach €2bn nationally by 2040 without intervention, while the cost to the greater Dublin area alone will be €1.5bn.
Operational costs at the NTA have risen from €982m to almost €1.2bn due to inflation, growth in services and the decision to maintain low fares.
The NTA will tell TDs: "To minimise the cost of congestion, accommodate the growing population, and meet climate policy obligations, continuous improvements are needed in sustainable transport in each city as well as the Connecting Ireland programme covering the non-urban areas."
