New bus gates on Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay

The biggest problem with this whole argument is the ideology involved.

For some, getting others out of their cars onto the inadequate, unattractive, slow, and disruptive public transport "alternatives" is a crusade more than anything. Better again, let's get them cycling and walking everywhere - "active travel" style (another marketing nonsense if ever there was one)

The reality of course is that while public transport may suit some - generally those without better alternatives, or who happen to live alongside the few reasonable options, or who need that feeling of doing the "right thing" (for de environment or whatever), for many it'll always be a poor substitute to be avoided if possible. Outside of the city or even just in many parts of the less wealthy/influential suburbs it's worse again!

That's the reality. The crusading and anti-car sentiment here won't change that. It's an echo chamber that bears no resemblance to that reality.

We actually had far less traffic than ever only a few years ago, but then the (literal) drive back to the office, and to support overpriced coffee shops and pubs started again. I'm sure many people in those cars would much rather work from home too but that's not the way it's turned out.

But making their lives even more awkward, longer days, expensive, and frustrating through half-assed blunt measures isn't going to win any fans or support - just resentment and resistance. This is Ireland ffs! Where "getting away" with minor to medium infractions is a way of life for many, where the Gardai range between lazy and apathetic to far more serious issues, and where the politicians themselves are more interested in feathering their own nests and that of their hangers on than any sort of far range planning or deeper changes in general. We can't even build enough houses for people, or even a single Children's hospital in the city without making a mess of it and ye think this is a priority?

This isn't London, or Amsterdam or wherever else some want to compare to. It's Ireland. We don't DO this sort of thing!

Plus, outside of a group of enthusiasts, or randomers interviewed in a paid for survey, who says that people even want it anyway? I haven't seen "more bus lanes " feature on any of the top electoral issues myself.

There's far more serious problems in this country than adding even more bus and cycle lanes to Dublin's streets! There's even more serious issues in Dublin itself!

People have normalised congestion and terrible journey times as normal, and driving everywhere like it's the 1970s. It isn't.

Quite arrogant of you to assume that's what I was doing. All the other couples I referred to are young couples with kids of various ages, busy lives and lots sports /music commitments etc. - Equally, I know of many other couples who would never give up the second car.

The point is - better public transport and active travel options have allowed some of those to actually do it.

I think I've hit a nerve here.

Do you disagree that improved public transport reduces the need for a single household to own 2 private cars?

I would add that renting cars, be it by the day or hour, are also very handy and relatively cheap when a second car maybe needed. Unfortunately the rental car network in Dublin is very limited to a few spot locations.

And then Covid came along and while it had a devastating effect on those aforementioned coffee shops and pubs, for white collar workers they found that they could be just as effective or more by WFH in most cases.

The problem is that that wasn't maintained post-Covid. The Government's "right to request WFH" legislation is a powerless nonsense, and many companies - stuck in the old-world "if I can't see them they must be dossing" mentality - insisted that those same staff come back. Plus we have to support overpriced coffee houses and pubs right?

Unfortunately however property and particularly the rental sector has spiralled out of control from both a cost and lack of supply standpoints, meaning that more and more are commuting long distances - things not viably done in most cases by public transport, hence the need for cars and the subsequent congestion.

If you live on the north side of the city there's no LUAS, no DART/rail (unless you live along the coast or beside the Maynooth line) and your option is slow, overcrowded, unreliable buses. That means a car is essential and asking them to maybe add on the costs and delays of buses/trains/parking etc is going to be a tough sell.

if cars are essential how come so many people on the northside come to town on buses? they're not that slow anyway from places like artane and santry, and you'd be nuts to drive in from these places.

This is why we need to look at previous years before lockdown and bus lanes where cars had absolutely priority and no bus lanes. It was a gridlock.

For sure there are journeys and timetables that are not viable by public transport or peoples location or destinations.

However there comes a point where the road network has reached capacity, and more cars is not a viable strategy. In that case other modes of transport with higher throughout have to be prioritised and cars de-prioritised.

Sometimes this will make things we used to no longer viable.

It’s a pity they can’t put the same on the Rock / Merrion road through Merrion and into Ballsbridge. For the amount of people that cycle that way each morning, it’s criminal that the segregated bike lane ends at the county line. I know there is plans with bus connect, but this needs to be completed sooner. I imagine there are similar roads throughout Dublin like this. Also, if the full plans for the city gate are fully implanted, you’ll have a lot of cars turning right at Merrion gates, so providing better options for people so not everyone needs to drive would be great

The section from the county border to the Merrion Gates was meant to be done as part of the Sandymount Strand cycle lane trial, but given a decision on the appeal still has yet to be announced, it can't be progressed. It is seperatly included in the Bus Connects CBC plans, but that has also been held up with a JR!

Where on the quays is this?

saw this on reddit, can you imagine? i'd love this so much

Visited the city this Sunday, I could actually have a conversation walking down bachelors walk.

Standing on eden quay looking towards bachelors walk you usually seen a swarm of cars flying down the quays now its much much quieter.

It seems the new Irish rail timetable is a sh1tshow. I was near pelletstown station at 8.20 this morning. The commuter train from maynooth was comprised of 3, yeah only 3, intercity carriages. Hundreds of people left stranded on the platform and the train was completely wedged on arrival. I've also heard of darts stopped outside connolly for up to 20 minutes.

I can only assume this latest blunder is a contributing factor. An awful time of year to be pulling this nonsense if you ask me