A new 24-hour bus service is among the routes included in a draft network for Limerick outlined today.
The proposed service would link University Hospital Limerick on the southside of the city with the University of Limerick on the east, passing through the city centre,
Under the new BusConnects system for Limerick outlined by the NTA, the city services are due to increase significantly.
There would be new routes for residents in the suburbs on the Ennis road on the northside, the Dock Road just south of the river, the University of Limerick north campus, along with Ardnacrusha in Clare and the Raheen industrial estate.
A better service on a Sunday is also promised.
All new services in the draft plan would serve the city centre with the main points of interchange at O'Connell Street, William Street, and Roches Street.
The proposed new plan is subject to public consultation, which starts today for the next six weeks.
Public information events will take place for three days from 7-9 March and people can also feed their proposals and thoughts online.
Any redesign will be finalised in the coming months, with the aim of beginning the roll-out of the new services from 2025.
NTA Chief Executive Anne Graham said: "As the third largest city in the State, Limerick is the economic engine of the midwest and has an exciting future ahead. Public transport can play a pivotal role in transforming the city.
"Through BusConnects Limerick, we want to make it easier for people to get around by reducing congestion, and to make this place more attractive for people who live here, work here, or who want to visit here.
"The redesign of the bus network, one of the key pillars of BusConnects Limerick, will ensure we move towards a more sustainable and inclusive public transport network that provides a viable alternative to the car."
Stephen Kent CEO of Bus Éireann said: "Change is already under way with National Transport Authority investment seeing Limerick switching to a fully electric and hybrid fleet by the end of this year, a revamped depot and new bus station at Colbert improving customer experience.
"While the impact of current works in the city is challenging, the long-term benefit to the city and to the reliability and punctuality of services by reducing congestion, our major operational challenge, will be substantial.
"Our experience is that when investment is made into increasing frequency and expanding bus services, passenger numbers grow markedly and rapidly, often by up to 70% within a year."
