Concerns over city centre access by bus are allayed
By Maurice Garvey
BUS commuters in Clondalkin will not have to get a second bus to get into the city centre via a proposed review of the Dublin Bus network, according to the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Responding to concerns that parts of Clondalkin may lose out in the Dublin Bus Connects system, the NTA say passengers will be able to travel directly from Dublin 22 to the city centre via the D Spine.
The new system will involve seven cross-city super frequency spines designated A to G, and will have branches going to areas off the main route.
The D Spine linking Crumlin Hospital with Malahide Road, will have service every five minutes, according to the review published recently.
The spine ends at Crumlin Hospital D1, but the line continues with D2 (every 15 minutes) to Tallaght, D3 (every 15 minutes) largely replacing Route 13, serving Nangor Road, Clondalkin Village, Bawnogue, and Grange Castle Business Park, and D4 (every 30 minutes) to Perrystown and Greenhills.
Speaking to The Echo, an NTA spokesperson said this does not mean Clondalkin commuters will have to get a second bus if they are travelling to or from the city centre.
“There is in fact a direct service from Clondalkin to the city centre included in the plan that will run every 15 minutes during the day, and every 10 minutes at peak,” said the spokesperson.
“The proposed D3 high-frequency service runs directly into the city centre without any need to change to a different bus, or to Luas.
“This is on top of a number of additional new routes running on a local and orbital basis.”
The NTA also said the proposals cater for people to travel from Tallaght to Lucan and Lucan to Blanchardstown, something not possible now unless getting a second bus.
Public consultation for the Dublin Bus Connects plan gets underway on July 16, and will run until September 14.
The NTA are due to have information stands at 12-15 locations around the city, likely to include The Square in Tallaght and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.
