SMP Outcomes:

While this policy is still relatively young, the significant work that has been undertaken to date – to implement actions in support of the wider goals - is starting to have real and tangible effects on how people travel and on the range of sustainable mobility options becoming available for use. Public transport passenger numbers, for example, have rapidly increased over the last two years, and this trend is continuing in 2024. Connecting Ireland has been transformational since its launch in 2022 with TFI Local Link regular bus services experiencing exponential growth from 2022, with passenger numbers increasing by 78% in 2023.

While transport emissions increased marginally, from 2022 to 2023, by 0.3 per cent to 11.8 Mt CO2eq, it is positive to note that emissions are now 4.3 per cent below 2019 pre-Covid levels. As well as supporting emissions reduction, the Sustainable Mobility Policy is recognised as having significant cobenefits for human health through reduced air pollutants in urban environments. In its 2023 Report ‘Air Quality in Ireland’, the Environmental Protection Agency advised that Ireland met all of its EU legal requirements in 2022 but that there were localised issues of concern, and cited traffic as a problem in cities particularly for pollution from nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The report identifies the need for reducing the use of cars to go to school, work and play, continuing to invest in clean public transport infrastructure across the country and creating more safe footpaths and cycle lanes for active travel. As projects continue to be rolled out, improved air quality and health benefits will be some of the most important outcomes of the SMP.

Other trends suggest the early implementation of actions under this Policy are helping to augment the behavioural change needed. For example, in 2022, there were 88% more primary school children commuting by bicycle than in 2016, and the number of students aged 13 to 18 cycling to school was up 79%. While it may be too early to capture statistically significant data on the 1,000 plus active travel projects being delivered across the country, these projects are being wellreceived upon completion, providing people with new and safer options for active travel. It is also expected that the impacts of such interventions will become more magnified when local walking and cycling infrastructure projects become further connected and optimised by the network effect. These projects are also helping to enhance the public realm, creating safer, and more accessible town centres in line with the core principles of the SMP.