BusConnects Dublin - Bus Network Changes Discussion

Route 720 "operated" between Watling Street and Parkgate Street, so neither end of the route actually went into Heuston. It had a few scheduled (out of service) departures before the route finally got removed from the GTFS data (and therefore bustimes). Most likely this was just there to figure out the route's runtimes, and it was mistakenly added to the public dataset.

I'd imagine when the O actually comes to exist, the bus will serve Heuston both ways and the infrastructure will be done closer to the time.

Either way, the fact that they actually included the 720 on a bus stop timetable considering it was never in service to begin with, let alone that it isn't even on GTFS anymore, is quite ridiculous. Imagine if the O route launch announcement said "This route replaces the existing route 720"…

There is a turning circle on parkgate street that the 46a used to use when it was diverted out of O'Devaney Gardens to allow the regen to take place. I suspect this is just because a route has to have a terminus somewhere even a nominal one for a circular route like the O, especially for first and last services.

The implication is that buses would not be able to transit Sean Heuston Bridge unless I am missing something.

It's next Sunday (19th) that F-Spine kicks in, the last day for the 49 is the 18th.

Dublin Bus have added the 49N to their list of cancelled routes from Saturday. It didn’t feature on the website when originally published and isn’t included on the TFI brochure or website.

It’s an odd decision, as like many Nitelink routes, the 49N is very different the main 49. This change will now leave Rathfarnham Village, Ballyboden, Kiltipper, Cookstown, Kilnamanagh and Kingswood with no late night service. The 24 hour services in phase 7 do not serve any of these areas.

Maybe there's a future route that will cover it, but looks like you're out of luck with a direct replacement.

Will operate the same as the Airport set up currently does, shunting duties added to late rosters so buses can be swapped out at Ballymount at night. Will be one to keep an eye on as some drivers based at airport currently not happy with the time it takes to get in to Ballymount in the early hours.

Kingswood in Tallaght. The 49N stops at the Kingswood Luas Stop.

Someone on social media has asked about the 49N and how they would now get to Ballyboden. They have been told by TFI to take the F1 and walk!

There’s still no mention on the TFI website that the service is ending, and the TFI app shows it running beyond October 18th. It would be great if all the communication matched to help passengers.

This is one of my concerns moving forward. Will they just be axing the NiteLink even if they aren't covering most of the route?

The 49N is truthfully one of the routes I was less worried about given it is very well covered between the D-, F-, and A-spines, but I also wasn't expecting it to get axed until all 3 were launched. The one area I believe that wouldn't be covered between the 3 spines was Kingswood, but generally with the way the BC network was designed, they were probably never going to try and cover 100% of the NL routes, just as much as possible.

But that said if they are cutting a route while it has barely been covered by any launched routes, it makes me nervous for the future of the other NL routes. Particularly as this isn't a case of loosing a direct connection or having to walk a few extra minutes for a much better service as has typically been the case with BC, its just gone.

What routes are operated out of that GAI yard in Kilpedder?

I don't think the A4 is due to serve the airport.

I'm guessing the L1, L2 and L15. Possibly the 45a too

The population of Dublin has grown by 120k people in just the last 5 years.

Thats more people than live in Limerick city.

Most of the increase is driven by working age immigration, so there has to be more we can do to target essential services employment.