Community page for better public transport in Dublin

It has become an accepted norm throughout Dublin and beyond that you must get into your car when you want to visit a nearby friend,buy some groceries or go to your local gym or cinema for example.

It doesn't have to be this way. It is, for the most part, a symptom of poor design.

Vehicular traffic from private cars costs us time, money and energy and affects our general health and well-being through noise/air pollution and constrained mobility. Private cars are not generally suited to urban environments and our usage of them should be driven by choice not necessity. Our efforts should be directed towards more sustainable modes of transport. Unfortunately, this has not been the case to date with Ireland having one of the poorest records across the EU for allocating funds towards such projects, often to the bewilderment of our nearest neighbours. See 'Dublin disappoints..' by The Guardian.

Re-prioritize the existing roadspace

Who are we?

This is a page by a small number of residents of Dublins south central suburbs supporting the BusConnects project. We believe it has great merit in it's overall aim to provide a more sustainable & efficient public transport system. We recognize and acknowledge that the plan still needs modifications and improvements, particularly in regard to some early decisions to widen community roads in place of more effective traffic reducing measures. We are also concerned however that populist political statments, nimbyism and sweeping criticisms of the overall plan threaten to derail the entire project which is urgently needed. To find out more information about BusConnects including specific area plans and engage with the consultation on their website please click here.

Note: We are an independent group of residents and have no affiliation with the NTA, the Bus Connects project or any particular political group.

The Transport Hierarchy

Why should I care about this project?

It will make the city easier to navigate and see your family and friends more often.
It means being able to have a drink when you meet your friends because you didn't have to drive.
It means exploring new areas without driving and not just the city centre.
It means providing proper choices on how to get to your destination
It means reducing stress and giving you back time in your day, every day.
It means improving air quality, respiratory illness outcomes and better public health.
It means more money in your pocket and less on insurance, petrol etc., reducing inequality
It means greater freedom for the elderly and people with disabilities.
It means meeting our climate objectives and protecting the planet.
It means giving breathing space to the agricultural sector on emissions
It means developing a better nightime economy for our city that is accessible for everyone.

What are the benefits of the plan as a whole?

- Overall increase in bus frequency for the general population
- Huge increase in route options for the general population (more orbital routes connecting suburbs)
- Huge net decrease in emissions helping us to reduce our carbon footprint and avoid EU fines
- Faster commuting times for the vast majority of the population (even those who have to switch buses)
- Net overall decrease in vehicular traffic/noise pollution/congestion (more people using public transport means less cars!)
- Safer, segregated cycling for all
- A cashless ticketing system and 90 minute fare will reduce onboarding time and costs of public transport making it more attractive for more people

Connect the dots Tallaght Main Street

-- Dr Roy Johnston’s “Future of Dublin” Network, 1991

Engage with the consultation Integrated Network

-- Bus Connects Route Plan snapshot, 2019

How can we do it?

- Priority traffic signalling for buses, trams, pedestrians and cyclists
- Segregated and continuous cycle tracks along main roads such as Rathmines Road and Malahide Road for example

Example of segregated cycle lanes in Tallaght

- Prioritization of these continuous, segregated cycle tracks along these main roads over segregated bus lanes which require road widening
- Prioritization of these cycle tracks and storage facilities over on street parking and general traffic lanes

- Expansion of Park and Ride facilities to locations such as those near the primary bus corridors and the M50 commuter belt

Example of a Park and Ride in Cheeverstown, Citywest

- Special limited residential access in complex cases. Provision for loading bays in villages
- A camera controlled congestion charge or low-emission vehicle zone between the Royal and Grand Canals, similar to those in place in London and Madrid
- The immediate introduction of the 90 minute fare for Bus/Rail/Luas and cashless onboarding
- Capped daily fare of €5 for adults and €3 for students to maximize commuter uptake and attractiveness of the scheme
- Alignment of Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead, Dart, Luas, Rail and cycling facilities through a single, user-friendly mobile app
- Increase in the provision of on-street and off-street cycling parking facilities
- Integration of upgraded network with Google Maps
- Use of Bus Gates and one-way traffic systems for private vehicles at traffic pinch points

Bus Gate at Main Street, Tallaght

- Avoiding the widening of roads, private land acquisition, highway construction and tree felling in favor of the above measures wherever possible
- Improved accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility issues

What are the greatest concerns?

Please see Local Area Concerns section

" A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation. "

-- Gustavo Petro, political activist and economist

Published May 2019

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