First phase of new BusConnects up and running

The first phase of the new BusConnects network came into operation yesterday with the commencement of services on H1 (from Baldoyle), H2 (from Malahide) and H3 (from Howth) routes as well as the new route 6.

The routes are part of the first phase of the new BusConnects network in Dublin which was launched by the National Transport Authority in conjunction with Dublin Bus earlier this week.

The H spine branches are the primary driver of the new network delivering fast and frequent services to the city centre.

This will provide greater levels of service to residents in Howth, Baldoyle, Donaghmede, Raheny, Malahide, Portmarnock and Howth together with the surrounding communities

The new routes commencing service today take over from the current buses in operation namely the 29a, 32, 31, 31a and 31b.

As part of these arrangements the terminus for route 130 will move from Lower Abbey Street to Talbot Street.

BusConnects Dublin plans to deliver an enhanced bus system that is better for the city, its people and the environment.

The programme includes a suite of transformative changes to the bus system, intended to make it more efficient, faster, reliable and easier to use. The services beginning today relates to the bus network aspects of the programme and not the infrastructure proposals.

The overall objective of the improved network will be a significant increase in capacity and frequency for customers, as well as more evening and weekend services for all spines. This is the first phase in the implementation of the new BusConnects network and follows on from three rounds of public consultation which concluded in 2020.

Anne Graham CEO of the NTA said: “The commencement of services today is the first step in a transformation of Dublin’s bus services.

“BusConnects is about improving bus services, but it’s also about connecting more people to more places. As part of the redesign of the network, we engaged with tens of thousands of members of the public across the city and across the region, who have been telling us what they are looking for in a bus network.

“We have listened to what they have had to say and responded with a network that we believe is a positive change to the city’s services. I am confident that the new service will make travelling by bus easier than ever before.”

Ray Coyne CEO of Dublin Bus said: “Today is a landmark day for public transport and Dublin Bus. The launch of H-Spine is positive news for our customers across North East Dublin who will have access to increased weekend and evening services, as well as increased capacity and frequency on these routes.

“The Network Redesign is part of an ambitious investment of €2 billion in Dublin’s bus system. Dublin Bus is well positioned to build on this investment to the benefit of our customers. Investment of this scale in urban bus transport will benefit everyone in the capital.

“It will help us increase growth in public transport usage, combat climate change and mitigate congestion by making Dublin Bus services better, quicker, more reliable option and strengthen the city’s economy as we seek to recover from the pandemic.”

For more information, visit: https://www.transportforireland.ie/h-spine/