Page 39 - Linkline Summer 2018

Dublin’s New Bus Corridors Project to Enhance Main Routes
A total of 16 core bus corridors will reduce travel times by up to half.
On 12 June, as part of its €2 billion BusConnects Dublin programme, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the Core Bus Corridors Project report. On top of this, a major redesign of the Dublin Bus network was announced recently which will see more frequent services, hence reducing waiting times and with a move to a simplified two-fare system for all services across the capital. Additionally, a new lettering system from A to G will categorise services into “spines”, replacing the current numbering system.
At the centre of this scheme, bus corridors have been proposed which will see travel times reduced by up to 40-50% and more affordable journeys brought into place, as well as being more predictable and reliable The scheme consists of 16 radial core bus corridors (busiest routes to or from the city centre) Over the next ten years 230km of expanded bus lanes and 200km of cycle lanes will be built under the scheme The planned routes include travelling to the city centre from Clongriffin, Swords, Ballymun, Finglas to Phibsborough, Blanchardstown, Lucan, Liffey Valley, Clondalkin to Drimnagh, Greenhills, Kimmage, Tallaght to Terenure, Rathfarnham, Bray, UCD via Ballsbridge, Blackrock to Merrion and Ringsend
On the initiative the NTA said:
“Our objective is to provide a continuous bus lane in each direction as well as maintaining two general traffic lanes In addition, we also want to provide a dedicated cycle track on each side of the road, providing safe cycling facilities, segregated from other vehicular traffic The standard layout also includes footpaths for pedestrians and supporting elements such as pedestrian crossings at all key road crossing points, and bus shelters for waiting passengers ”
CEO of the NTA, Anne Graham, said:
“Everybody agrees that something needs to be done to improve our bus services Passenger numbers on public transport continue to increase, but as the economy continues
The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport 39
TRANSPORT