Swiftway - Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

I actually think it somes up how Irish people react to any public transport project, be it changing routes, BRT, LUAS, railways etc.

You've only got to look at the thread about level crossings on the Maynooth line to see how people react.

Sam Russell wrote: »

I fail to see the benefit of BRT over ordinary high-capacity buses like the triple axle double deckers used on other routes. Bendy buses were a disaster and will be a disaster. Because it looks like a tram does not make it a tram, particularly if it only has three axles for a vehicle that long.

Ordinary triple axle buses would provide the same throughput, if it was provided with priority routing, off bus ticketing, etc.

The articulated buses did not work particularly well in Dublin because the infrastructure was not put in place for their safe operation such as:

* Extended bus cages (bus stop markings) to allow the buses line up with the kerb safely
* Retreated stop lines and adjusted light sequences to allow buses make tight left turns safely
* Off-bus ticketing


Put the right infrastructure in place and they can certainly work in Dublin - it takes the parties involved to co-operate together rather than the haphazard thinking that went on before.

And what about the rest of the corridor?

People seem to be focussed on the Airport and Swords alone.

The BRT is about improving public transport for everyone along the corridor.

At the moment the focus will be on the Swords QBC as that's the first to be developed.

Other routes will follow after the first one is completed I imagine.

Aard wrote: »

Thanks for that.

So it looks like there still isn't any movement on exact design decisions yet. Not unexpected. Still, I'd have thought that the preferred routings would have been bedded down by now. The tail of the project in Swords is obviously proving to be the most problematic part of the route.

I'm surprised that the NTA have led the BRT projects with the Swords corridor, probably the most contentious one (between figuring out the route in the north of Swords, the will-they-won't-they with Metro North, and huge opposition from private operators). Surely Blanch-UCD would have been an easier corridor to begin with.

We're going to have to wait for the EIS for the full detailed plans - there will be a statutory consultation for that in Q1 2015 as per those posters.

However, looking at those posters there have been some significant changes since the original consultation:
* Revised route in Swords starting at Applewood and using the existing bus route and avoiding the contentious busway
* Airport to be served by a separate BRT service from the Swords service (avoiding a time consuming loop)
* Extra stops at Northwood and Drumcondra
* Revised route in the city operating via Dorset Street and North Frederick Street

The Swords QBC is MUCH less contentious than any of the other proposals as it involves minimal CPO activity and has the necessary roadspace along the entire route. I hardly think Swords Express complaining equates to "huge opposition from private operators". That's only one company. It doesn't serve the rest of the route which is what the BRT proposal is all about - providing a quality service for the entire corridor.

Carawaystick wrote: »

I know that, but they say


and on the same page



This should be changed to the past tense, and maybe give an indication of the number of submissions received and maybe even publish them. CER and Fingal Co. Co. do this for major infrastructure projects.

If they are not publishing the submissions, then they should publish a summary of the main points raised in the consultation and their outline responses.

They did - I posted a link to it in post #537 of this thread.