The National Transport Authority has today announced details of the second phase of the BusConnects Core Bus Corridor project with the unveiling of a further six of the sixteen routes that are earmarked for development.
The BusConnects programme aims to transform Dublin’s bus system, with the Core Bus Corridor project providing 230kms of dedicated bus lanes and 200km of cycle lanes on sixteen of the busiest bus corridors in and out of the city centre. This project is fundamental to addressing the congestion issues in the Dublin region with the population due to grow by 25% by 2040, bringing it to almost 1.55m.
The bus service is the main form of public transport across Dublin with 67% of public transport journeys each day made by bus. The level of commuting to work by bicycle has also increased by 43% since 2011 and the need for better and safer cycling facilities will be provided through the roll-out of the core bus corridor project.
The first phase of the public consultations commenced in November 2018 and is on-going. The latest public consultation for phase two is commencing today on the Emerging Preferred Routes for the following six corridors:
On the six corridors announced today, annual passenger growth in Dublin Bus services has increased by up to 19% in the period 2015 to 2018. However, the millions of passenger journeys taking place on each of these corridors are facing increasing congestion with delays being frequently experienced by commuters.
All property owners potentially affected by today’s announcement have been notified by post with one-to-one meetings being offered in the coming weeks with those potentially impacted.
Phase Three of the Core Bus Corridors project will get underway in mid-February and will run until the end of April featuring the final six corridors: Ballymun to the City Centre; Finglas to Phibsborough; Bray to the City Centre; Blackrock to Merrion; UCD Ballsbridge to City Centre and Ringsend to the City Centre.
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “Today marks the second stage in a three-step process with details being unveiled of six additional Emerging Preferred Routes foreseen under the BusConnects Core Bus Corridor project. In recent days, we have notified the 665 property owners along these routes who may be potentially affected and offered one-to-one meetings to inform them of the proposals and listen to their feedback.
“We would encourage those who received the notification to get in contact with us and engage in the consultation process that runs until the 29th March. We want to hear from them to get their views on the proposals and the issues that they wish to see addressed.
“At the NTA, we are determined to deepen our engagement with the communities along each of the identified corridors. That is why in addition to the meeting with potentially affected property owners we will also be organising public information events and Community Forums along each of the six corridors announced today.
“The Community Forums, in particular, will ensure a two-way dialogue with community leaders, residents’ associations, special interest groups and public representatives. We are eager to listen to the concerns of all those affected, and we will ensure they are kept updated on the project as it progresses.
“We have been encouraged by the positive level of engagement the NTA has witnessed since the launch of the Core Bus Corridors project public consultation in November 2018 and we will examine all observations carefully over the coming weeks as we look to develop Final Preferred Routes.
“Although we are aware that a project of this scale will bring many challenges, the BusConnects Core Bus Corridor project is needed now more than ever. With the city due to expand by 25% by 2040, continuous bus priority and segregated cycle lanes will be required to meet the growing demand for fast, reliable, punctual and convenient bus journeys in and out of the city centre, and safe cycling facilities for the growing numbers of cyclists.”
For more information visit- www.busconnects.ie
