Re: Re: Look at de state of Cork, like!

Anybody got any pictures of developed Bus Station. And by way of a PS, Wagamama really isn’t that nice – harmless enough fare but not the tastiest food in the world.

Cullen opens €4m Government investment in Cork Bus Station
Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen today (24th January 2005) officially opened the newly refurbished Parnell Place Bus Station in Cork. The €4m redevelopment of one of Cork’s landmark buildings will provide new improved facilities for the station’s three million annual customers.
Speaking at the opening, Minister Cullen said the new Memoranda of Understanding between CIE and the Department of Transport is contributing to an improved and consistent quality of service for CIE passengers.
A key part of the Memorandum is a Service Level Agreement which details the quantity and quality of service provided the three CIE companies on the back of Government investment. Arrangements have been put in place to monitor the delivery of these targets with results reviewed each year.
Minister Cullen said: “Like the 42 Service Indicators I introduced to monitor Local Government performance, the CIE service level agreement ensures the public sees where their money is going and the results this investment is producing. It is also a useful tool for Government in identifying where deficiencies might exist so they can be tackled. It is an arrangement that works for passengers, CIE and Government.”
Commenting on the new €4m development of Parnell Bus Station, the Minister welcomed the completion of the project ahead of schedule to coincide with the European Capital of Culture.
A complete internal re-furbishment of the two storey building has taken place with a re-designed passenger concourse, an improved bus marshalling area, nine new bus bays, a complete upgrade of all passenger facilities and new passenger information systems. A striking feature of the design is the new tensile fabric canopy at the front of the station.
Minister Cullen welcomed the significantly improved accessibility of the station for people with disabilities. €1.1 million of the capital costs were directed at improving access and comfort for those with disability and for the elderly. New accessibility features include a lift, automatic doors, improved signage and audio communications.
The Minister said the redevelopment brings to €24m the level of Government investment in Cork Bus Eireann services in the past five years.
He said: “Government investment has brought about a significant improvement in services, including the addition on new routes and increased frequency of services. City bus service departures have increased by 35%. The addition of northern and southern city orbital routes has attracted thousands of new customers. 109 new buses have been provided with 92% of buses wheelchair accessible.
“In addition to the improvements on Cork City services, there has also been significant frequency improvements on all Expressway departures from Cork with hourly services to Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Tralee, 6 daily services to and from Dublin and numerous services daily to places such as Athlone, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Rosslare Harbour.
“All of this means better services, increased customer numbers, improved working standards and a better return for taxpayers”, he said.
The Minister also announced the extension of the No.5 bus route to Kent Station in the coming months to facilitate commuters going to U.C.C., C.I.T., and FAS offices. “This will provide a quick, reliable journey time for people on the western suburbs of the City”, he said.