Meetings held to discuss Dublin Bus change plans

AROUND 200 people attended meetings in Greystones, Newcastle and Kilcoole recently, to discuss planned changes to the Dublin Bus network.

The sessions were arranged by Cllr Derek Mitchell, Minister Simon Harris and Alice O’Donnell.

‘Many points were raised, but in general it was felt that ‘Bus Connects’ produces a better bus service for the area,’ said Cllr Mitchell.

There was, however, considerable concern in Kilpedder/ Willow Grove, that the planned service would not go through the area.

‘I think that the 201 should still go through northbound, as it will only add about two minutes to the journey,’ said Cllr Mitchell in a submission based on feedback from the meetings.

He said that two 84X services outside peak times should not be deleted, and that some 201s could go via Greystones Harbour.

Cllr Mitchell suggested an outer orbital route using the M50, to serve the Luas at Carrickmines and Red Cow as well as other locations.

‘Many people in north Wicklow work in Sandyford and west Dublin and public transport is far too slow and indirect. Thus they use cars but a more direct bus service should reduce traffic on the N11/M50. While connecting to Luas at Sandyford would be better in some ways, the bus would get tied up in the bad traffic there.’

Cllr Mitchell said that a bus journey from Greystones to Bray Dart Station could take up to 50 minutes in traffic.

‘In that time an 84X would get to UCD,’ he said. ‘Proposals for Bray bus corridors only cover the north end which is short.

‘ The 201/202 needs bus priority all through south and central Bray, which I think would be strongly resisted,’ he said.

Other items in the submission, include scepticism at connectivity between bus and train times, access to St Vincent’s hospital, narrowness of roads, and traffic issues. He also said that there is concern at Sea Road in Kilcoole not being served.

Cllr Mitchell said that connected tickets with the 133 Bus Eireann route would enable transfers serving Wicklow Town and other areas.

‘ The 133 is currently unreliable but when working as it should it provides a swift and easy route to the city at regular intervals throughout the day,’ he said.