Additional 24-hour bus services to be introduced later this year

More 24-hour bus services are set to be introduced later this year following an announcement from Minister for Transport TD Eamon Ryan.

The late-night routes will service the Red Cow, city centre, and Spencer Dock areas, as well as run from Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, through the city centre and towards Spencer Dock.

In a statement last week, Minister Ryan said he “recognises that the demand for late-night transport is increasing and acknowledges that the National Transport Authority, in partnership with public transport operators, are proactively taking steps to meet that demand”.

The introduction of the new services, which are set to begin in the Autumn, is in response to new legislation which will allow pubs and nightclubs to stay open longer.

This legislation is set to come into effect later this year with Justice Minister Helen McEntee saying earlier this month the overhaul must also ensure that “it’s safe for people can get to and from our towns and cities and villages” after a night out.

However, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has said that Luas services will not operate past 1am for the time being as maintenance works on carriages are carried out overnight.

A spokesperson for the Department of Tranport said that in addition to the 24-hour bus services planned for later this year, more routes are being considered for 2023.

These include routes on the E-Spine, the F-Spine and the O-orbital.

The E and F routes service the Charlestown Shopping Centre and Northwood areas, the city centre, and out to Bray and Dun Laoghaire.

The orbital route services the North and South Circular Road areas.

These services will be in addition to 13 Nitelink services operated by Dublin Bus, added the department spokesperson.

“The NTA has indicated that there is potential for each of the spine groups to have at least one route running 24 hours, but final decisions will be made closer to the time of each rollout,” they said.

“The need for greater late-night services across the public transport network is being kept under review.”