Several Irish cities and towns will be taking part in this year¿s pan-European Car Free Day. Certain streets in each participating town or city will be reserved for pedestrians and will be used to promote the use of public transport and cycling.
Entertainment and educational events are planned for each location throughout the day.
The initiative, which takes place on the same date each year September 22nd falls on a Sunday this year.
The purpose of the pan-European initiative which started in France in 1998 is to build "respect for the environment in an urban context".
Ireland first participated in 2000 when the then Minister for Environment and Local Government, Mr Noel Dempsey, signed the European Car Free Day pledge.
Bus Éireann is offering free travel on its fleet during specified periods on its city services in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
All scheduled services in Cork City will be provided free of charge until 7 p.m. and an hourly service will be available on Route 212 with park and ride services operating from Victoria Cross to Grand Parade from 10.30 a.m. to 6.15 p.m.
Scheduled city services will be available free of charge in Limerick until 5.00 p.m. and the same will apply in Galway until 7 p.m.
Services will be available in Waterford until 7.00 p.m. with free shuttle services operating in the city centre. More details are available from Bus Éireann.
The participating cities in Ireland are Cork, Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire, Galway, Greystones, Kilkenny, Limerick, Portlaoise, Waterford and Newcastle West.