The overlooked orbital from BusConnects

Network Map Submission: WALKINSTOWN-BLACKROCK ORBITAL

Note: This page is an updated migrated version of: https://futureofdublin.ie/templeogue3.html

Proposal:
1) We are proposing the addition of a new orbital S5 bus route along the R112 to be added to New Dublin Bus Area Network as part of BusConnects.

2) Addition of segregated cycle paths along R112 similar to what has been achieved on Braemor Road section with added separation between Bus Stops and cyclists. (Update: this is already due to be partly implemented)

3) Implement more Park & Ride options such as the Spawell Car Park.

The R112 is one of the city's few crucial east-west orbital routes, built long before the M50 and it still has no bus service.

Route: Walkinstown Avenue (Kylemore Luas)— St Peters Road — Templeville Road (Templeogue) — Dodder View/Park Road (Rathfarnham)— Braemor Road (Churchtown) — Dundrum (Dundrum Luas)— Stillorgan— Blackrock

The Network Redesign proposed as part of the BusConnects plan will leave residents of Walkinstown/Templeogue with a sub-standard bus service that does not deliver quality public transport for residents. In some areas, the BusConnects plan will provide an inferior service even to the existing network.

Our proposed S5 orbital route would not only serve to cut vehicular traffic in the area, it would also intersect with several of the BusConnects spines, which when implemented will allow residents to hop on/off buses paying just one single fare that connects them to various Dublin´s suburbs and village centres (such as Dundrum, Templeogue etc..) that were previously inaccessible to them by public transport.

Frequency: Using existing road infrastructure and bus stop locations the route would run at a similar frequency to other existing orbital routes in the capital such as the N8 orbital, with the potential for this to be revised based on demand e.g school transport, weekend demand for beach, shopping centre access etc.. New bus stop locations for access to amenties such as Bushy Park could be explored also.

Table adapted from BusConnects official website, subject to change.

Shared benefits

• Improved bus connectivity between suburbs and new corridor routes utilizing the new single 90 minute fare
• Connect the Red and Green Luas lines
• Accessibility and greater independence for more vulnerable groups (e.g reduced mobility or additional needs)
• Improved access to local amenities e.g Movies@Dundrum, Templeogue Swimming Pool, Bushy Park, Whitehall Badminton Centre etc…
• Net reduction of traffic on Templeville Road and surrounding areas (also helps prevent need for future road widening) and reduction of spillover traffic from a clogged M50.
• Better school connectivity for kids who need to commute
• Increased mobility means better health outcomes and lower pollution levels
• Contribute to a reduction in transport emissions in line with the objectives of the Climate Action Plan by encouraging modal shift to active travel use (Climate Action Plan sets out a 50% emissions reduction target for Transport)
• Helps combat modelled traffic increases due to new/upcoming housing developments in the area
• Reduction in fuel poverty for vulnerable families and renters
• Moves more people to more places using much less roadspace than only electric vehicles.
• Would intersect with several city centre routes, providing connecting services to make our public transport more accessible and attractive to a larger number of people therefore reducing congestion.
• Studies show higher provision of public transport reduces traffic for those who really need to drive
• Improves air quality by reducing pollutants of carbon monoxide, NOx etc.. in atmosphere
• Reduced traffic could allow for more flexible Bus Gate operation

Challenges

Load Factor/Appeal: A poor passenger uptake is cited as a concern in providing for this route. Observing traffic levels between Dundrum and Walkinstown during weekdays and also on Saturday afternoon illustrates that this route is already suffering from problematic traffic congestion.

The affected areas are becoming more high-density in nature with a significant number of high-density schemes planned for sites such as Milltown, Walkinstown House and the “car-free” City Edge project in D12. Given the orbital nature and proximity to the M50, the routes capacity to reduce some of the existing traffic between JNC13 and JNC10 Tallaght on the M50 should also be given consideration.

Other existing areas along the route which have a sub-par bus service such as Wainsfort Manor, Templeogue could have access opened up onto the R112 with a little help from SDCC.

Cost: Dublin Bus made a small pre-tax loss in 2022. However there is a significant amount of money available for new active travel routes under this Programme for Government which is likely to continue flowing. Billions have been spent on national road projects over the past decade, and millions more are due to be paid to homeowners to widen roads such as Terenure Road East and Rathfarnham Road. This is a subsidy that should be easily justifiable when looked at within the bigger picture of reducing emissions and gridlock, providing transport accessibility, and unlocking the potential of Dublin’s transport workhorse.

Other areas which will have a sub-par bus service such as Wainsfort Manor, Templeogue could potentially have access opened up onto the R112 upon input/approval from local residents there and SDCC.

See BusConnects Network Map for Templeogue-Walkinstown

A section of the route that has already adapted to a sustainable shared roadspace. Providing for public transport now will prevent the need for road widening in the future. 

An S5 orbital would greatly enhance the connectivity of the entire network, connecting the Green and Red Luas lines and incorporate Dart network also

Even when sharing with general traffic, a bus route can significantly reduce congestion and noise, particularly when well connected to other routes as it would be once the revised network plan is implemented as part of BusConnects. This is because even at just a third of their occupancy and combined with the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles, a bus route will significantly reduce the number of cars from the road, greatly improving air quality and reducing overall noise pollution also. It would also improve childrens´ access to friends, school and shared community spaces.

Route clearly visible on AA Roadwatch map of traffic hotspots

For those for whom the bus is not an option, for the cost of having to share the road with a bus every 10-15 minutes, there would be significantly less congestion on their route, improving journey times for everyone.

Speaking about the ordering of a greener fleet of vehicles, Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA has been quoted as saying —“These buses are just one part of the overall approach, and hydrogen is just one of the technologies that we are looking to in the drive to make public transport more sustainable. Alongside these buses, we are also about to order 45 battery single-deck battery-electric buses for use in urban areas, with another 150 or so to come.”

We shouldn’t wait for congestion on our suburbs to get worse to improve our suburban public transport for people who cannot or do not want to drive between suburbs. Now is the time to act, the funding is there, we just have to demand it.

Next Steps

1. Leave us a comment below and/or copy this link and share on social media, local community groups etc…

2. Email it to the BusConnects team directly at info@nationaltransport.ie indicating your desire for the proposal to be considered. You may wish to address that NTA’s main point that the country cannot afford to run/maintain a bus service here.

Next up: Our view on BusConnects Proposals Templeogue/Terenure