Waterford’s BusConnects rollout could now be delayed until the first quarter of 2028 and is understood to be subject to funding, according to a local bus driver and trade union representative.

Darren Ryan says he has obtained new information through a Freedom of Information request which indicates the implementation of the redesigned network is not now expected to begin until 2028 at the earliest.

The development comes just weeks after Waterford City and County Council said there had been no decision to postpone the project until 2028.

At this month’s plenary meeting, Director of Roads Gabriel Hynes said there had been no decision to delay BusConnects until 2028 and that work with the National Transport Authority was continuing.

He said infrastructure associated with the network, including bus stops, shelters and terminals, was expected to progress, while councillors were also due to engage with the NTA on the plans.

Council management said it remained hopeful that the rollout of services could begin in early 2027.

However, speaking to WLR’s Damien Tiernan, Darren Ryan says he has since received information pointing to a later timeframe.

He says the NTA initially told him his Freedom of Information request was too broad before he narrowed it to information relating to this year.

Ryan says the information he subsequently received indicates that BusConnects could now be pushed back until the first quarter of 2028 at the earliest, and that this is subject to funding.

The development raises questions over the status of a project which has been publicly promoted in Waterford as a major expansion of the city’s public transport network.

BusConnects is intended to bring significant changes to the city’s bus services, including new and redesigned routes, increased frequencies and longer operating hours.

The redesigned network is expected to approximately double the level of bus service provided across Waterford’s Public Service Obligation network.

Waterford City and County Council has previously highlighted the doubling of bus services to the city centre as one of the benefits expected from BusConnects.

The programme is part of the national BusConnects rollout covering Ireland’s five cities, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Government information states that BusConnects is intended to significantly enhance public transport in all five cities.

The Department of Transport has also previously said BusConnects would be delivered as part of the National Development Plan investment programme.

The latest information therefore raises a key question for Waterford: if the network was expected to be implemented from 2027, why is its delivery now being described as subject to funding and potentially pushed into 2028?

The NTA has been responsible for the development and implementation of the BusConnects network redesign.

The project has already involved consultation in Waterford, with proposed changes to routes and infrastructure.

Ryan says the NTA has spent more than one million euro on the Waterford BusConnects process following the consultation stage, with further expenditure incurred this year.

WLR has contacted the National Transport Authority and Waterford City and County Council for clarification on the current delivery timeline, the funding position and whether the project is now expected to commence in the first quarter of 2028.