Direct routes are great, but connections are key for sure. If you can switch platforms within a station from one high frequency route to another, it's effortless. If you've travelled around London, Berlin, Paris, Milan etc. you will see the potential of such a network.
Connections are what makes a network work. Running multiple lines together is a recipe for a disastrous mess.
The Greens are likely the main reason we're getting Metrolink at all.
metrolink is essential, but after that, linking up the greenline to it, could make sense. Having to make connections is a pain... I absolutely would not want my idea to come before metrolink starts construction, as we know exactly what could happen then? "Shure why bother with a 20,000,000,000 project, when the greenline can link it to the airport for five percent of the cost"... that will be the likes of the crap that will be put out there...
And with a bit of luck, the building blocks for the introduction of 2 or 3 future metro lines around the city.
I'm not against Luas or Dart, they all have their place in the future of pt in the city.
It is also about creating a high speed high frequency north/south link under central Dublin, and thus reducing pressure and reliance on the bus service.
Can we stop with this Luas to airport or Dart linking Clongriffen to airport.
Metrolink is about opening up huge parts of North Dublin, from Swords to the city centre and beyond. Yes its also goes via the airport but it also brings to high speed pt to both current and future population centres.
It also benefits from having a dedicated route which by and large avoids traffic congestion caused by junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights and general delays caused by everything from buses to pedestrians.
I don’t see any benefit on bringing the luas to the airport on the metro track. Why not just have the luas terminus at a metro stop? Once there is a mixed use on the line it will lead to a slow down. It would immediately affect the capacity of the metro before it was even built
Would the metrolink be quicker travelling speed than a luas ? I mean im talking about a luas every ten minutes to airport perhaps on the green line ...
my proposal would be the current last stop at Charleston and next stop airport...
Im aware of the 90 second frequency , but if the Greenline also served the airport, that would reduce the need somewhat for that ultra high frequency...
TII hiring leadership roles for MetroLink project
https://www.tii.ie/news/press-releases/leadership-roles/index.xml
I'd agree, but then, when you look at the consternation when they proposed upgrading the Green line, they'd have to make sure it as future proofed as possible from the start so there was minimal disruption if/when it was upgraded.
It would make more sense to terminate the Finglas Luas at Dardistown Metrolink station and Park and Ride. Simple quick transfer between Finglas Luas and frequent Metrolink trains to the airport. PR handy too for those heading elsewhere on the green line.
That part of the Finglas Luas could also be the start of a gradual building out of Metro West.
No the metro is planned to allow a train pass a point every 90 seconds if needed. Putting a tram onto it just slows everything down. That would be the definition of a camel design.
The Greens here are a comedy act, and this will never happen, but if for the multiple reasons metrolink looks likes it going to get canned, the greens should have that down as a MUST when they enter coalition, any change to that, immediately means withdrawal of their support. Just wait for the next transport plan, flagship project to the 3.9km noddy line out to Finglas...
out of interest, could the finglas luas be extended to dublin airport and share the same track as metrolink ? where it would terminate in the airport?
That's £180m in today's money 😅
They can't even shelve a report for that these days🙈
I always like to remind people that the first London Underground line was opened in 1863, almost 160 years ago and is still in use today!
10 Billion (or whatever) might sound like a lot, but I’ve no doubt that 160 years it will still be in use and original price tag pretty meaningless.
BTW the first London Underground line cost £1.2 million in 1863 🤣
Laughable that it could bankrupt even with a 9-12 billion pricetag when we are running tens of billions in corpo tax surpluses each year.
How will it bankrupt the country?
Minimum 12 years away to taking a trip on a metro carriage would be my guess. Unless i win the lotto, I won't be retired as will only be mid 50's.
2033.
I'd like to imagine I'll be retired by then, but sadly I'll probably still be logging in for my shift at the E-mail Mines
Our great-grandchildren will be retired or dead by the time this gets finished.
If it doesn't bankrupt the country first.
So, what year do we think it will be operational, and will we be all retired or dead by then?
Mod: There are other threads to discuss the PT of Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and even Dublin.
This thread is about Metrolink - Swords to Charlemont.
lol, mea cupla, they had tram lines, but got rid of them in the 70’s seemingly replacing them with buses!
Which seemingly many now say was a big mistake. Goes to show mainland European cities aren’t perfect either, they make mistakes too. Amsterdam too in the 70’s was trying to build big motorways through the heart of the city destroying neighbourhoods, which lead to big protests and eventually to the excellent cycling and public transport they have today.
BTW interestingly Copenhagen has over 1,100 city buses, similar to us, while Amsterdam has just 22O, relying on trams instead.
Id rather see us build more Luas lines (along with dart and metro) then rely so heavily on buses.
Assuming we can build the Metro and Dart+, we won't be too far behind Copenhagen. Unfortunately, we basically lost 15years of progress because of the crash.
I agree loco, if we can get Metrolink, DART+ and BusConnects done, then we would have a pretty solid network. Not done, but a very good place to build off of.
Copenhagen doesn't have trams though??
TII have launced market consultations for the M100 Advance Works Package and the M130 Advance Works Archaelogy Package
https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/pmc/viewPmc.do?resourceId=2665485
Christ Yes!!!
How am I ever gonna get my dream job as freight train driver if there's no freight trains????
People like you holding me back my whole life!
Can you tell me more about these 18 tram lines?
While I fully acknowledge Copenhagen is way ahead of Dublin, that's a misleading and unfair comparison to make. Assuming we can build the Metro and Dart+, we won't be too far behind Copenhagen. Unfortunately, we basically lost 15years of progress because of the crash.
Metro:
Copenhagen's metro network is 38km long, with 39 stations and 107million annual ridership. Noting the lines share large sections of a core network to form several lines. The 15km long M3 circle line, with 17 underground stations, opened only recently in 2019.
Dublin's planned Metro will be 19km long, with 16 stations and is expected to carry 48million passengers annually. If the Metro is extended to Sandyford, it will be almost as long as Copenhagen's entire network (at 33km long) and would likely carry 80million+ annually.
S-train / Dart:
Copenhagen's S-train system is 170km long, with 86 stations and 120million annual ridership. 6 of the 7 lines share a central core with 3 branches at each end. It's not 7 distinct lines, basically 2 with several branches.
Dublin's current Dart network is 53km long, with 31 stations and 20million annual ridership. Commuter rail carries an additional 15million annually. Upon completion of Dart+, the network will be 150km long, with more than 60 stations. Not sure of expected ridership, but capacity will be doubled on most sections, trebled on Dart+West and quadrupled on Dart+ SW.
And Dublin's current Luas system is 42km long, with 67 stations and 50million annual ridership.
Conclusion: Copenhagen is way ahead of Dublin, but it won't take much to for Dublin to catch up. If we can also finish Bus Connects and associated infrastructure, the city will be doing very well.
Yep, Copenhagen has 4 metro lines, 18 tram lines and 7 S-train (DART) lines. So even worse!
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