The entire system is set to undergo a number of changes.
A number of changes to the Dublin Bus network have been mooted by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which will see services improve integration between buses, trams and trains as well as adopt new, more frequent services.
The redesign was implemented by the National Transport Authority (NTA), who explained that some of the key reasons for the redesign were:
- The city is growing and the bus network needed to cater for that growth.
- The current bus network is complex which makes it hard to remember and use easily.
- There are few orbital routes, making it hard to move around the outer parts of the city.
- There are many overlapping routes, where the bus services are not evenly spaced.
- There is a need to better integrate our networks of bus, trams and trains.
The NTA has said that they believe the changes will result in more people being able to access frequent services, as the proposed redesign is set to increase bus services by 27%, with much of that increase delivering additional “all-day” services.
As well as this, 11 brand new orbital routes will operate every 15 minutes or more, according to the new redesign.
The main changes which will be implemented to the bus routes are:
- Services will be separated and arranged along seven cross-city super-frequent ‘spines’, with an increase in the numbers of orbital services.
- Routes are set to be re-numbered, alongside the seven routes they will be associated with – spanning from A – G – followed by a digit. The letter signifies the spine, and the digit the specific branch.
- The 11 new orbital routes will operate on a 15-minute frequency, or better.
- There will be an increase in the number of all-day high-frequency services.
New proposed fares will also be simplified.
Two Leap fares for card holders have been proposed, with a “90 Minute Fare” that covers all bus, DART or Luas trips started within 90 minutes.
This 90 Minute fare will allow you any combination of bus, Luas and DART for your journey, subject to the last leg commencing within 90 minutes of the start of the overall trip.
Cash fares will continue to be available but will be payable for each trip.
The only potential downside to the proposals are that some passengers who have a direct route to work may be forced to change buses to now access their destination. However, the NTA says the benefits – faster, more reliable journeys – would outweigh this entirely.
While the proposed resign hasn’t been decided just yet, the NTA has put these proposals forward for public consultation.
The public submissions period will start on Monday 16 July and run to Friday 14 September, in which you can give your views online here or attend a series of local information sessions at various venues around the Dublin region.
Members of the public may also submit their views by post.
Details of the venues and dates will be uploaded to the Bus Connects website and will also be advertised in various newspapers.
Earlier in the week, Dublin Bus donated space on hundreds of buses across the city to display educational ads urging safer sex in a first-of-its-kind partnership with Durex.
The campaign sees social media star James Kavanagh encouraging the safer sex message and assisting in a prominent national conversation.
Those who spot the posters will be advised to drop in to HIV Ireland’s offices from 22 June 22 – 6 July to receive free condoms as well as enter a competition to win a special Durex goodie bag on HIV Ireland’s social channels.
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