BusConnects is an ongoing public transport infrastructure programme, managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), focused on the bus networks in several cities in Ireland. Described by the NTA as intended to "improve bus services across the country",[1] as of mid-2022 the programme was in "implementation" phase in Dublin,[2] "consultation" phase in Cork,[3] with the Minister for Transport projecting similar initiatives in Galway, Limerick and Waterford.[4] Aspects of the plans proved controversial with local politicians, residents, and unions in both Dublin and Cork.[5][6][7][8]

Background

A 2017 report, commissioned by the NTA and produced by US-based consulting firm Jarrett Walker + Associates (previously involved in similar projects in New Zealand),[9] set out a number of options for the redesign of Dublin's bus transport network.[10] The proposed purpose of the redesign was to improve network functionality and increase bus ridership in the Dublin area. The report noted that the existing network focused on radial routes (from the suburbs into the city centre) and had very few orbital or crossing routes (from suburb to suburb).[11] Arising from this report, an initial network proposal was released for public consultation in mid-2018.[11]

According to a press release issued by the Department of Transport in March 2022, it was noted that, while a "final budget and delivery schedule for BusConnects Dublin" had not been established, the proposed budget was then projected to be €4 billion and work speculated to "be substantially complete by 2030".[12]

Initiatives

Dublin

The BusConnects programme in Dublin was split into phases, for which the main consultation initiatives concluded in 2020.[13] The NTA began implementing the new network in stages, starting in 2021.[13][14] These included:

  • Phase 1 (H-Spine) - initially rolled out in June 2021, when routes 29a, 31/a/b and 32 were replaced by routes H1, H2 and H3.[15][4]
  • Phase 2 (C-Spine) - launched in November 2021 in West Dublin and East Kildare,[16] this involved the introduction of several routes operated by Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, including the C-Spine (C1, C2, C3, C4), route 52, a number of peak-only and local routes and two night-time routes.[16][17]
  • Phase 3 (N-Orbital) - launched in May 2022 with the N4 and N6 north Dublin orbitals.[18][19]
  • Phase 4 (G-Spine) - launched in October 2022 with routes G1, G2 and 60.[20][21][22][23]
  • Phase 5a (W-Orbital) - launched in June 2023 with routes W4, W61 and W62.[24][25]
  • Phase 5b - launched on 26 November 2023 with routes S2, S4, S6, S8, W2, 74, L25, and L55.[26] Following this change, routes 17, 17D, 18, 75, 75A, 76, 76A, 175 and 61 ceased operations.[26]
  • E-Spine - expected in 2024

During both the implementation and consultation phases, the BusConnects projects in Dublin attracted significant controversy and criticism, including from service users,[27] residents,[28] politicians,[29] and transport unions.[30] Concerns included route coverage, total journey times, allowing for route access and changes, actual performance and "no shows", property "taking" required to implement routes, and reduction in road space for existing commuter traffic.[27] Regarding the suburb of Finglas, independent Dublin City Councillor Noeleen Reilly has noted that overall, BusConnects has had an adverse effect on the area rather than providing residents with greater service.[31] Similar sentiments have been expressed in Ballyfermot.[20][32][33]

Cork

The consultation phase for the proposed BusConnects project in Cork was opened in 2022.[34] The published proposals attracted significant controversy and complaint from home-owners,[35] politicians,[36][37] transport unions,[8] and other stakeholders.[38] According to reports from mid-2022, concerns were raised in particular about the proposed demolition of old stone walls, the potential for nearly 1000 properties to lose parts of their gardens through compulsory purchase orders,[39] the loss of sections of Ballybrack Woods in Douglas,[39] and the felling of 1,400 mature trees along proposed routes.[40]

Limerick

In February 2023, the National Transport Authority published a draft version of a new bus network for Limerick city. The network redesign is intended to be rolled out in 2025.[41]

Other cities

As of March 2022, the then Minister of Transport proposed "acceleration" and a rollout of BusConnects initiatives to Galway, Limerick and Waterford.[42]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "BusConnects - National Transport". nationaltransport.ie. National Transport Authority. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "Dublin Network Redesign | Busconnects". busconnects.ie. National Transport Authority. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  3. ↑ English, Eoin (12 September 2022). "Contentious Cork BusConnects plan reducing people to tears, councillors claim". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 Gataveckaite, Gabija (24 June 2021). "First journeys under €2bn BusConnects plan to begin on Sunday". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "BusConnects: What is next for the controversial plan?". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Ross accused of trying to 'duck responsibility' for BusConnects plan". The Herald. Independent News & Media. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  7. ↑ "We'll listen to residents, insists NTA as more than 2,000 submissions made on BusConnects". echolive.ie. The Echo. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  8. 1 2 Capplis, Conor; English, Eoin. "Bus union leader launches scathing attack on Cork BusConnects plan". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  9. ↑ McAllen, Jessica (16 October 2018). "Lessons from down under: How not to do BusConnects". irishtimes.com. The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign Choices Report" (PDF). busconnects.ie. National Transport Authority. 6 June 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign Public Consultation Report: Summary (July 2018)" (PDF). Jarrett Walker + Associates. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Press Release - Government Gives Green Light to Dublin's BusConnects". gov.ie. Department of Transport. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  13. 1 2 "BusConnects Dublin Network Redesign - Transport for Ireland". transportforireland.ie. National Transport Authority. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign". Jarrett Walker + Associates. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  15. ↑ Duffy, Ronan (24 June 2021). "BusConnects: H Spine towards Howth and Malahide to begin from Sunday". TheJournal.ie. Journal Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  16. 1 2 "C-Spine launching 28th of November 2021". goaheadireland.ie. Go-Ahead Ireland. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  17. ↑ "Second Phase of new Bus Connects Network to launch". dublinbus.ie. Dublin Bus. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "New 24-hour Service Among BusConnects Changes for Dublin's Northside from Sunday". nationaltransport.ie. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "DUBLIN- NORTHERN ORBITALS". transportforireland.ie. National Transport Authority. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  20. 1 2 Donohoe, Amy (25 October 2022). "New Dublin bus route labelled 'shambolic' due to 'delays and cancelled services'". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  21. ↑ McCullagh, Tony (10 August 2022). "Latest changes to Dublin Bus network delayed over driver numbers". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  22. ↑ Kelly, Olivia (13 October 2022). "New BusConnects services begin in Dublin on Sunday". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  23. ↑ Nevin, Emma (20 September 2022). "Full details of Phase 4 BusConnects changes launching next month". dublinlive.ie.
  24. ↑ MacRedmond, David (21 June 2023). "BusConnects: Three new routes for west Dublin and east Kildare set to begin on Sunday". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "PHASE 5A: W-ORBITAL". transportforireland.ie. National Transport Authority. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Phase 5b Southern Orbitals". Transport for Ireland. November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  27. 1 2 Nevin, Emma (22 September 2022). "'Serious concerns' raised about BusConnects due to spike of no-show buses in north Dublin". dublinlive.ie.
  28. ↑ McQuinn, Cormac; O'Connor, Wayne (19 September 2018). "Controversial Bus Connects plan could become as politically dangerous as water charges - Fine Gael TDs claim". independent.ie. Independent News & Media.
  29. ↑ "Shane Ross urges people to get involved in the Bus Connects consultation". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  30. ↑ Clarke, Vivienne (21 September 2018). "BusConnects designer says union is misleading public". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  31. ↑ Surve, Aakanksha (23 October 2019). "Dublin bus crisis is 'turning people away from public transport'". Dublin Live. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  32. ↑ Blaney, Amy (15 November 2022). "Dublin Bus users call for return to original routes if G-Spine issues not resolved". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  33. ↑ Dalby, Claudia (23 November 2022). "The New Bus Routes from Ballyfermot into Town Are Worse Than the Old Ones, Councillors and Commuters Say". dublininquirer.
  34. ↑ Mooney, Sarah (30 June 2022). "Public asked for views on new BusConnects routes for Cork". breakingnews.ie.
  35. ↑ English, Eoin (9 October 2022). "BusConnects plan drives a wedge between frustrated commuters and fearful homeowners". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  36. ↑ Leland, Mary (25 September 2022). "BusConnects and NTA controversial plans for Cork: unique opportunity or highways to Hell?". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  37. ↑ Loughlin, Elaine; English, Eoin (8 October 2022). "Taoiseach: Part of Cork's €600m BusConnects plan has left elderly in tears". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 October 2022. all seven of the city's Fianna Fáil councillors, including the Taoiseach's brother, have tabled a motion for Monday's council meeting calling for the plans to be rejected
  38. ↑ English, Eoin (10 October 2022). "'We've no intention of rushing BusConnects plan ... the aim is to get it right'". irishexaminer.com. The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  39. 1 2 "Anger Over Proposals For Busconnects Routes In Douglas". redfm.ie. Red FM. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  40. ↑ English, Eoin (12 October 2022). "Scientist urges BusConnects Cork plan to improve on 'meagre tree planting scheme'". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  41. ↑ Sheehy, Mairead (22 February 2023). "Limerick welcomes 24-hour bus service under new network plan". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  42. ↑ Hosford, Paul (8 March 2022). "Eamon Ryan would like to see acceleration of €2 billion BusConnects scheme". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
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