New bus network for Dublin will increase services by 23%, says NTA

Source: Screengrab / busconnects.ie

Dublin’s NEW BUS network will increase bus services by 23%, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has said.

The final design of the new network was released today by the NTA after three rounds of public consultation and a total of 72,000 submissions.

The implementation of the network will take place gradually over several years starting in 2021, subject to funding from the government.

The plan will see the current routes along Dublin Bus abolished and replaced with spines and orbital routes.

The most frequent services will be along the “thorns” that run through the center of the city.

Along with that, there will be orbital routes that stay outside the city center and that cross the different spines.

The new network will see an increase in night and weekend services, with more frequent routes operating every 15 minutes or more on weekends and Saturdays, most also on Sundays.

There will be a number of routes that will operate 24 hours a day.

Overall, the level of bus services on the Dublin network will increase by 23% as a result of the new network, according to the NTA.

“Bus services in Dublin needed to be redesigned to be more consistent and efficient to meet the demands of a growing city and I am delighted that we can now implement this new plan after extensive public consultation,” said Transport Minister Eamon Ryan .

“The last six months have been very challenging for everyone in Dublin and throughout Ireland. Bus services have provided essential frontline service to the public and the city during this time and the new Dublin area bus network will allow the service to grow to meet the needs of the people as the city recovers. Ryan said.

Today’s bus network plan is for bus services only and a third separate round of public consultation will take place later this year for the Main Bus Corridor (bus lanes and bike lanes).

All information on the new Dublin area bus network can be viewed and downloaded here.