Park and Ride Infrastructure

OisinCooke

Does anyone know what the usage of the Irish Rail and Luas Park and Ride facilities are? I've just been thinking that every time I've passed a 'Park and Ride' station in the past, the car park has been more or less empty, with the exception of Stillorgan/Sandyford Luas Green Line stations, although I'm under the impression that some people use that as a car park for the surrounding urban area…

Just trying to think what other locations might be suitable for rail or bus based Park and Ride facilities (or new stations entirely for that purpose) Obviously Charlestown Luas stop on the Green Line Finglas Extension and the Estuary Metrolink station will be great, being located near the M50 and M1, but I've always thought that Parkwest & Cherry Orchard would make a great Park and Ride facility but I suppose trying to retrofit an exit to the M50 at this location would be very tricky.

Numerous locations outside of Cork (Blarney/Monard/Dunkettle), Limerick (Ballysimon/Dooradoyle) and definitely Belfast which currently has none (Adelaide/Balmoral/Sydenham/Whitehouse Lagoon) would be very suitable I'd think for rail Park and Ride facilities.

Surely the existing facilities though could be far more heavily used - M3 Parkway, Navan Road, and certain Luas examples. I wonder how much worthwhile revenue the car park payments earn for IÉ/Luas…? And would it be in any way worth it to make these car parks free? Would it entice more people from the car to rail? I don't recall there being many as far as I'm aware, but how many Dublin Bus stops have a somewhat decent P+R facility?

veryangryman

Most people who have more sense than money find a cheaper or free spot to park the car.

I know I do

JohnC.

Speaking as a visitor to Dublin, not a commuter, I'm all for them. I've only driven inside the M50 once, on an unplanned trip to Dundrum Town Centre, so never into the proper city centre.

Red Cow P&R seemed busy at times I've used it. Although it has been a while. My last visits have involved overnight stays where I picked hotels outside the M50, but near either Luas or Dart lines. I suppose you could call the hotel car parks P&R.

I don't mind paying €4 for a day pass for an occasional visit. But I can see that being different for commuters. Recently used a P&R near Edinburgh. That was free, which is nice. And not even swamped with cars like you might expect.

loyatemu

the one in Greystones (which is free) seems busy enough - before Covid it was regularly full, I'm not sure if it's back to being that busy.

TII are building 3 new P&Rs on the N11 as part of a program that will extend to other routes into Dublin.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058266085/n11-bus-park-and-ride-proposals

citizen6

There should be a big sign before the turn-off for a P+R, telling you how many spaces are free.

If you are sitting in traffic on the Navan Road inbound, and you know there are spaces, you would be tempted to turn off and get the train. The sign could also say when the next trains are.