Have your say on the future of Dublin Bus routes and services

Have your say on the future of Dublin Bus routes and services

If you have ever been left frustrated because there is a lack of Dublin Bus routes between areas such as Tallaght to Lucan or Clondalkin to Dundrum you can now have your say on the future of Dublin Bus routes and services in general.

The National Transport Authority launched a new report yesterday on the current system, and is calling on the public to have their say ahead of a proposed €1m upgrade to the network.

Dublin Bus strike september 2016

The proposed plans include new rapid buses for Dublin, new bus corridors which will form what is being called the ‘Core Bus Network’, low emission vehicles, cashless payment systems and Park and Ride facilities.

Added to this, the report looks at the introduction of more radial routes, which would run around the city rather than through it.

The aim of the plan is to make travelling through suburbs like Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan, Dundrum, Blanchardstown and others easier.

At the moment the majority of these routes are orientated from the city centre outwards, but a more radial system would make getting from the likes of Dundrum to Lucan easier, although it would most likely include an increased number of transfers from one bus to another.

The report was compiled by Jarrett Walker and Associates, a firm which specialises in designing public transport systems, and speaking to Newstalk yesterday, Mr Walker said: “The way they are now is that, for understandable historical reasons, you have a bus network that almost all goes to Dublin city centre.

“It is very difficult to make suburb to suburb trips, particularly within the same side of the city like Tallaght to Dundrum or Santry to Blanchardstown.

“These types of trips are very difficult because the system is so overwhelmingly [aimed] toward the city centre.”

Speaking about the report and the need for input from the public, NTA Chief Executive Anne Graham said: “The current system of bus routes and services in Dublin is complex.

“With about 130 different bus routes forming the Dublin Bus network, very few people would be able to describe the routes of more than a handful of those services and most users limit themselves to a few familiar routes.”

She continued: “The bus network in Dublin is very radially focused, with most routes emanating outwards from the City Centre. Orbital bus services – routes that skirt the city – are few and far between.

“As a result, many bus journeys can only be made by firstly traveling into the City Centre on one radial route, and then taking another radial bus service out.

“We believe that a system with greater scope for interconnection between routes, and where connecting passengers don’t necessarily have to travel to the city centre, is one that would be far more attractive and convenient.”

You can take part in the survey HERE.

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