Cork City Council officials say they are very pleased with the way the re-introduction of the afternoon car ban on St. Patrick Street is working.
The controversial measure was suspended last March following an outcry by city centre traders.
The bus priority zone was reintroduced at 3pm this afternoon and operated until 6.30pm this evening.
Private cares are banned from the city's main thoroughfare during these times each day.
Buses, taxis, emergency vehicles, and cyclists are exempt.
The measure is designed to improve public transport and traffic movement in Cork city centre.
Speaking this evening, Cork City Council, Director of Services Gerry O'Beirne said junctions are performing well, traffic flow is good and while there will no doubt be issues, these will be ironed out as they arise.
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Bus Éireann has welcomed today's move.
Operations Manager South Martin Walsh said the company saw a significant reduction in journey times when the ban was first introduced last March.
Improved journey times of up to 28% were seen on some routes.
Cork City Council said the ban was a key element of a ten-part City Centre Movement Strategy.
It was first introduced during the Easter holidays but was suspended three weeks later following an angry reaction from city centre traders who said it led to a major drop in retail sales.
They accused the council of failing to properly prepare people for the ban and causing confusion.
It was re-introduced today, 15 weeks later, following widespread consultations and briefings, as well as a major local advertising campaign.
The council said it was confident it would work now that people had been made aware of why it was necessary.
A package of measures is in place to ease the re-introduction of the ban.
These include reduced bus fares for adults and children using Leap Cards after 2pm daily, an enhanced Black Ash Park and Ride route operating from 7am until 8pm six days a week routed through the city centre, as well as 24 temporary set-down spaces.
The City Council has also committed itself to a €150,000 marketing plan for the city to encourage people to return.
Lawrence Owens, CEO of the Cork Business Association, said he believed it was much more customer-focused now and it had a good chance of working.
