The National Transport Authority (NTA), in partnership with Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, has commenced the next phase of BusConnects with the introduction of five new orbital bus routes across south and west Dublin, as well as three other routes.

The new routes S2, S4, S6, S8, W2, L25, L55 and 74 will replaced routes 17, 18, 61, 75/a, 76/a and 175. Other bus services in these areas will continue to operate as normal. The new routes create many new journey opportunities with more direct and more frequent services between the main travel destinations and interchanges across south Dublin. These services will also be more frequent than the ones being replaced, resulting in a service increase of over 70%.

Phase 5b serves areas in the southern and western regions of Dublin including Blackrock, Tallaght, Citywest, Ballyfermot, Walkinstown, Rathfarnham, Drimnagh, Churchtown, Dundrum, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Crumlin, Stillorgan, Monkstown, Kimmage, Sandyford, Terenure, Dún Laoghaire and UCD.

The BusConnects network was published in 2020 following three rounds of public consultation with consideration given to over 72,000 submissions. The complete network redesign will result in an overall increase in bus services of 23% during peak hours, increased evening and weekend services and an increase in the number of residents located a short walk from a frequent bus service.

The new Phase 5b orbitals will change the way some people make a journey to their chosen destination, as orbitals are designed to provide more direct connections between suburbs without having to travel into the city.

Services at interpeak times on the enhanced S4 and S6 routes will double to 10 services an hour operating in each direction.  Many communities, on the S4 including Long Mile Road, Crumlin Hospital and Ballyfermot and on the S6 at Firhouse Road, Cherryfield and Templeogue, will now benefit from a direct connection to UCD for the first time ever.

Routes S2, L25 and 74 are operated by Dublin Bus and S4, S6, S8, W2 and L55 are operated by Go-Ahead Ireland.

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, said, “the launch of Phase 5b is another milestone in our BusConnects programme. This phase will give people the opportunity to travel on more direct and frequent bus services across southern and western areas of Dublin.  Passengers will be able to travel between suburbs without having to travel into the city. The enhancements will make trips more efficient and is another improvement in connectivity on our city network.”

Billy Hann, CEO of Dublin Bus, said, “this is an important day for Dublin Bus and our customers across the south, south east and south west of Dublin. We are changing our bus services to better meet customer needs and bring the many benefits of public transport to even more people and businesses across Dublin. The introduction of three new routes, notably the S2 orbital spanning from Poolbeg to Heuston Station, enhances frequency and connectivity, helping us grow public transport usage and ease congestion, making bus services a better and more reliable option.”

Dervla McKay, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland, said, “Go-Ahead Ireland is operating five of the new routes including the S4, S6 and S8. The new orbitals cover a vast area of south Dublin with services connecting Liffey Valley and UCD, Tallaght and Blackrock Station and City West and Dún Laoghaire.”

Source: Transport for Ireland