Which platform to board Luas at Connolly?

bobbyss

Leaving Connolly Station to get the Luas there are two platforms. Which one is the platform to board? If you are on the wrong one you have to climb the stairs and go down the other side.

spurious

The one closest to the road, but you are better off going around the corner to Busaras stop where there is a choice of more trams.

Bluefoam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058310144/which-platform-to-board-luas-at-connolly

1. Look at the digital displays... they'll tell you when the next Luas leaves from each platform
2. you don't need to go up and down the steps, you can just walk across the luas line

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121006032#Comment_121006032

This. Vastly more frequent trams at the Busaras stop, and it's only about 100m around the corner.

The tram from Connolly will usually (but not always) leave from the platform furthest away from the road (so on the left as you're looking out from the station). The signs on the platforms will indicate.

veryangryman

You have to wonder sometimes why the planners didnt simply make a merged station of Busaras and Connolly which would lead to the Busaras Luas

Ronald Binge Redux

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121007372#Comment_121007372

I frankly wonder why the planners left Connolly with such a skimpy service, leaving it to street drinkers. They shouldn't have bothered demolishing the old ramp in the first place.

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121007536#Comment_121007536

IMO they over-built the Connolly stop as well, given it has 2 platforms and tracks linking it to the main line in both directions. Don't think I've ever seen (or heard of) trams using the Connolly - The Point link before.

Only reason I see would have potentially been for future-proofing reasons, for example using Connolly as a potential terminus for Poolbeg trams, whenever that extension actually gets built that is.

bobbyss

I have been using Connolly for many years but rarely the Luas. I recall when I did arrive the platform was the one furthest from the road so I assumed that is where I would board also. So I trooped down with heavy cases but saw many people on the other platform -the one nearest the road. The sign said due in 10 minutes. The sign at Connolly-to the best of my memory, doesn't tell you the platform?

But if I waited to see which platform the Luas split into, it would be too close to cross and dangerous too esp with luggage. In any event I took off for Busarus so I don't know which platform it actually arrived at.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121006076#Comment_121006076

Where is the digital display? Do you mean beside the actual track itself or inside Connolly? If you mean by the track then with heavy cases you have to troop down the steps (the escalator rarely works) an if on the wrong platform make your way up the stairs again.

Surely commuters should know which platform to use before they make their way down.

mikeybhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121008265#Comment_121008265

Connolly was the original terminus for the red line before it was extended to The Point

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121008366#Comment_121008366

Ah yes, I somehow completely blanked on that point!

Edit: unintentional pun 😂

wench

You're massively over-complicating this. Come down by whichever side suits you, and cross at the crossing point here to the appropriate side.

p_haugh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121008348#Comment_121008348

Yes, theres no realtime for the luas inside Connolly itself (or for the any of the bus/coach services that stop nearby either I'm pretty sure), it's only the screens at the platform itself.

bobbyss

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121008447#Comment_121008447

Thank you.

And back to the original question. How do I know which is the appropriate platform?

The display tells us when a Luas is due only not which platform to be on.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121010015#Comment_121010015

You don't. You cross over if the tram goes to the one you're not on.

Even at Point where they have next tram indicators, they're often wrong.

hynesie08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121010015#Comment_121010015

It'll be the one with the luas at it.

Sultan of Bling

As above.

You'll have a few mins to spare as it's the end of the line and the driver has to walk from one end of the tram to the other.

So when it stops just cross the track.

Most do leave from the platform further from the road.

DoctorPan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121008265#Comment_121008265

Connolly is used sometimes for tram storage while there is a concert at the Point to allow rapid deployement of trams to move the crowds and the connection allows for direct movements without having to reverse. It's an extremely rare movement.