THE publication of a “radical” set of proposals for the Dublin Bus network unveiled last week has received a mixed response on the Southside.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) published its Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign Public Consultation report last week, which when realised, will see service levels increase by over a quarter.
The new BusConnects plan involves limiting the city to seven "super-frequent" spine routes while 11 "orbital" branch routes will run in areas other than the centre of town.
The new plan will see the amount of lines cut overall and will require some people to change buses to get to the city centre.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, said: “The proposals that NTA is publishing today are radical but I believe that they have the potential to make Dublin’s public transport system in general, and its bus system in particular, work much better for the people who use it. The introduction of a new 90-minute, cross-service fare will further benefit those commuters who make use of a combination of Luas and bus services.
“For residents of Dublin Rathdown, particular headlines include a greater integration with Luas services and a greater emphasis on orbital bus routes operating between local suburban areas. At present, the bus network is made up of mostly radial routes, which means that many areas are only accessible via a journey into the city centre.
“Under these proposals we will see an overall increase in services of 27 per cent which as far as customers are concerned, can only be a good thing.”
However, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid-West, John Curran, said he has concerns that Clondalkin will be left behind by the proposed major changes to the bus network.
“I have some concerns that I hope to raise throughout this public consultation process as it would appear that Clondalkin will not be serviced by a ‘Super-Frequent Spine’ route.
“While there is the Luas Red Line at the Red Cow roundabout, this is not easy to get to for many local people in Clondalkin and this has been a serious issue for many years now.
“The proposed overhaul of the Dublin Bus network needs to be carefully considered and the public must be given the opportunity to have their views heard through the consultation process.
Labour’s Transport spokesperson Senator Kevin Humphreys said that while he tentatively welcomed the publication of the proposals from the NTA for radical changes to the bus network in Dublin, he said there must a genuine consultation with the public that takes on their views.
Senator Humphreys said the consultation should run until at least the end of September to ensure that all those impacted have a chance to make their input after the summer holidays end, and that the proposed changes should also be advertised on existing routes so those using them can be aware of what is planned.
Senator Humphreys said: "It is only a few years ago that Dublin Bus undertook a broad review and restructuring of the bus network, but the growing congestion on main arteries into the city shows the need for a fuller overhaul, as I have been calling for.
"All of the proposed changes are contingent on the Bus Connects model being delivered, and it is a radical plan that will require years of implementation.”