Fare play with bus plan on right road
A RE-WIRING of Dublin’s bus network is urgently required to improve speed and reliability, the Chamber has claimed.
In a submission to the National Transport Authority, the Chamber welcomed the ambition put forward in a plan to increase bus priority.
It said this will be key to achieving quicker and more consistent journey times and it also welcomed proposals to improve and simplify the fare structure on Dublin’s buses.
A survey of around 200 of its members last month found 79% of companies are in favour of the Busconnects plan.
Dublin Chamber’s Head of Public Affairs Graeme Mcqueen said: “The initial Busconnects plan is far from perfect, but there is a huge amount in there that’s potentially very positive for the public transport network in Dublin.
“Sadly, much of that has been lost
Dublin Bus serves the capital amongst the huge amount of scaremongering and politically-motivated noise that has been allowed to dominate over recent months.
“The fact is, Dublin’s existing bus network is no longer fit for purpose, THE Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) will host the International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC) in 2026.
Organisers successfully bid against Moscow and Brisbane and the event is expected to attract up to 1,500 delegates to the city. The biennial with commuters facing lengthy and inconsistent journey times on a daily basis.
“This is eroding the attractiveness of the bus and exacerbating Dublin’s chronic congestion problem.”
The Chamber’s Busconnects submission acknowledges the need for elements of the draft plan to be revised, particularly many of the local routes that will feed the core “spines” of Busconnects.
The Chamber has also called for the next iteration of the plan to better address the high level of congestion that is currently seen on the M50.
Mr Mcqueen said: “Dublin urgently needs underground rail solutions such as Metrolink and Dart Underground.
“However, while we wait for those projects to come to fruition, a more efficient bus network will be key to easing the city’s congestion issues in the short International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC) is the first event The CCD has confirmed for 2026.
This prestigious conference will see delegates attend events at both The CCD and Trinity College Dublin, bringing over €2m to the Irish economy. The term. Getting more people to switch from the private car to the bus will require a more compelling and reliable alternative for commuters.
“That’s why we’re calling for more park and ride facilities be considered around the M50 and the canals, as well as improved cycling facilities, which integrate with the public transport network.
“We share the NTA’S ambition to have more people using public transport and for Dublin to have a public transport network that rivals those in the best cities in the world.
“We are broadly supportive of the Busconnects proposal. The proposed redesign comes at a crucial time for the Dublin region.”
Although changes and revision will be required to achieve a workable plan, Mr Mcqueen added: “Ultimately, though, the Busconnects plan is one that’s worth refining.” successful Dublin bid was headed by Professors Sylvia Draper (Trinity College Dublin), Andrea Erxleben (National University of Ireland, Galway), Grace Morgan (University College Dublin) and Stuart James (Queen’s University Belfast).