NTA releases revised BusConnects plans after submissions

The National Transport Authority has released revised BusConnects plans, with a number of changes based on thousands of submissions received during the first phase of public consultation.

Many of the submissions from north Wicklow included objections from Enniskerry regarding service to Kilgarron Hill, the 44 service to Dublin, and in Bray, people were opposed to plans to eliminate service from Palermo. Calls to serve the Southern Cross were also addressed.

The loops through Kilpedder and at the Glenview Hotel have been restored and the 301 (similar to 84X) will connect with the Cherrywood Luas.

However, a planned around Greystones route, the ‘204’ is not included in the detailed booklet for the district.

Deputy John Brady said that he and his Sinn Féil colleagues Cllr Dermot ‘Daisy’ O’Brien and Cllr Grace McManus had made a detailed submission. He said that there is still potential for improvement although this plan, he said, is much better than the first draft. ‘One of the areas we think should be considered is Fassaroe, and we will continue putting on the pressure’ said Deputy Brady. He said that the NTA appeared to have taken much of the feedback they received on board.

The proposed changes for Bray have at their core, a ‘spine’ route E1 from Bray Daly Station to Ballymun, every 10 minutes.

This would be similar in some ways to Route 145, but would cross the City Centre to north Dublin instead of heading to Heuston. It would also start at Bray Daly station instead of Ballywaltrim.

Route 212 would travel from Ballywaltrim to Bray every 10 minutes, requiring interchange with either the E1 or Dart for travel in to Dublin.

The 211 would travel from Kilmacanogue to Dun Laoghaire, with the all-day service departing every 20 minutes.

This would be mostly similar to existing Route 45a, with slight changes in routing between Sallynoggin and Dun Laoghaire.

Routes 201 and 202 would be coming from Greystones, Kilcoole, Newtown and Newcastle.

Route 214 would travel from the Southern Cross Road to Palermo, every 30 minutes. This would be the first time a state bus company has served the Southern Cross Road. The new service is proposed in response to public feedback from Bray.

It would combine more frequent service to Palermo (currently a deviation on the existing 185), going through the centre of Bray, then down the beach, and out to Southern Cross Road via Putland Road and Vevay Road.

Route 12 would operate from Enniskerry to the City Centre ever hour. The bus service would be similar to the existing 44, operating through Belarmine rather than Kilgobbin Road.

Route 215 would operate from Bray to Shop River every 60 minutes, replacing the existing 185 and cutting out Palermo on that route.

The Southern Cross will also have peak time service in the 301 and 302 buses, similar to the 84X

The NTA said that the new network will be introduced in phases with the first phase implemented in early 2021 and the full roll-out taking around two years.

The finalisation of the bus network redesign will take place next year, after this second public consultation phase is complete.

Submissions on the amended bus network plans can be made up until December 3 at busconnects.ie, or in writing to Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign, National Transport Authority, Dún Scéine, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2, D02 WT20 or by emailing consultations@busconnects. ie. There will also be local area consultation meetings announced.