BusConnects Dublin - Bus Network Changes Discussion

Delaying or even cancelling is always an option for any government.

Have you forgotten how the original plan to have the two LUAS lines intersect in the city centre was abandoned in the wake of continually whinging? And that it took over a decade for that decision to be reversed?

As soon as major work on the new CBCs is actually started, whining will explode as car drivers see the reality of what additional delay will mean to their commutes.

Remember, there are sizeable chunks of the population who will not take a bus under any circumstances and as we saw in the election, it doesn’t take much complaining for politicians to postpone/scrap changes lest they upset voters.

OK - but as I mentioned I dont see any tenderer for the work ?

Appreciate revised estimates 2025 are not yet out but you'd think NTA would have published the plan at the very least e.g plan, timelines lead company tendered and appointed subcontractors ?

per the linked article above "

The contract would last 10 years and the NTA said that initial construction contracts for BusConnects will be entered into in 2024 and the potential completion of the final schemes is

"

I dont think a contract for the master has been let yet ( unless someone tells me otherwise ) and without that they can't let the individual spines out to tender. unless they really do pull something mad, it'll be 9 months before a shovel touches anything at the very least.

Maybe I'm wrong - has anyone seen individual spine works tendered for on etenders ?

I put several options in the TFI journey planner, and am disappointed that if going from Lucan, Blanchardstown to the Airport there doesn't appear to be any route using even part of the M50. Into town and use Dublin Express, or connect with 41 if Blanchardstown - is all I can see. Same probably applies to North Kildare.

Any Orbitals planned does anyone know? Maybe there are other options but it should be easy to find if there are and I didn't.

There are connections at Red Cow on Dublin Coach for Tallaght and Clondalkin, which is fine, but not for the others, which don't have LUAS either.

Thanks @thomasj

The airport Hopper is not mentioned on TFI app though.

Dublin bus Christmas arrangements announced, no extra night-time services to make up for the E-spine delay it seems:

https://www.dublinbus.ie/news/christmas-arrangements-2024

It wouldn't make any sense for the new government to delay or cancel BusConnects.

Bus journey times have been cut by one third along the liffey quays since they were implemented by DCC in the autumn. These improvements to the journey times to bus routes travelling along the city centre are very welcome even though these measures were rolled out in a piecemeal fashion by the council.

However the important point remains is that these new measures are making a very positive difference in how the bus routes travel along the quays in Dublin City Centre. If the council were more aggressive in how they announced these measures. We would be having an even quicker bus service around the city by now if they were implemented in full.

Interesting to hear another new depot is on the cards. Will this be a permanent one or another temporary arrangement?

Great news on Ballycoolin . Will be of great benefit to the Dublin 15 and Finglas areas.

Good to see the payment upgrades is in progress. I hope that they have a contactless leap card option so that people can continue to Avail of prepay and also where they could store any tickets.

Wonder if that'll be for DB, GAI or maybe even a new company to win a tender for the NTA.

If it's an NTA owned facility it may be possible for multiple operators to use.

The figures showing the patronage of the Southern Orbital routes in the NTA slides are very impressive.

Also is the newly purchased depot site in Ballycoolin located near Amazon's Fulfilment Centre in Dublin 15?

Did the NTA presentation say anything about the maximum number of buses it can have in the depot?

It dragged on for a few years until the recession eventually killed it.