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Improved access for all on-board Dublin buses

Posted: 30 June 2008 | Joe Meagher, Chief Executive, Dublin Bus | No comments yet

Under the Irish Government’s Transport 21 Investment Programme, bus services will be central to providing a reliable and efficient transport service for the people of Dublin. Each year, Dublin Bus carries close to 150 million people across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and with the help of Transport 21, the company can continue to improve the service it offers to passengers.

Transport 21 is the capital investment framework agreed by the Irish Government for the development of transport infrastructure and services for the period 2006 to 2015. The first stage of the programme for Dublin Bus was the announcement of additional buses to the fleet. To date, there are an extra 100 buses in service across the network. As a result, over 300 new drivers were recruited in 2007. These staff underwent a rigorous training programme with a combination of driving instruction out on the roads and a series of lectures on issues such as safety, customer awareness, disability awareness and company policy.

Under the Irish Government’s Transport 21 Investment Programme, bus services will be central to providing a reliable and efficient transport service for the people of Dublin. Each year, Dublin Bus carries close to 150 million people across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and with the help of Transport 21, the company can continue to improve the service it offers to passengers. Transport 21 is the capital investment framework agreed by the Irish Government for the development of transport infrastructure and services for the period 2006 to 2015. The first stage of the programme for Dublin Bus was the announcement of additional buses to the fleet. To date, there are an extra 100 buses in service across the network. As a result, over 300 new drivers were recruited in 2007. These staff underwent a rigorous training programme with a combination of driving instruction out on the roads and a series of lectures on issues such as safety, customer awareness, disability awareness and company policy.

Under the Irish Government’s Transport 21 Investment Programme, bus services will be central to providing a reliable and efficient transport service for the people of Dublin. Each year, Dublin Bus carries close to 150 million people across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and with the help of Transport 21, the company can continue to improve the service it offers to passengers.

Transport 21 is the capital investment framework agreed by the Irish Government for the development of transport infrastructure and services for the period 2006 to 2015. The first stage of the programme for Dublin Bus was the announcement of additional buses to the fleet. To date, there are an extra 100 buses in service across the network. As a result, over 300 new drivers were recruited in 2007. These staff underwent a rigorous training programme with a combination of driving instruction out on the roads and a series of lectures on issues such as safety, customer awareness, disability awareness and company policy.

Fifty new triaxle buses have also been introduced as part of the Transport 21 programme. These new vehicles are larger than the standard vehicles. Studies have found that investment in larger bus types, like triaxle buses, is the most cost efficient way to meet increases in demand for bus services. These buses have a passenger carrying capacity that is 25% greater than standard buses, which means an extra 33 more passengers per bus. The buses have now fully entered into service across the North West of Dublin.

The introduction of these buses into the fleet has enabled Dublin Bus to not only increase frequency and capacity on existing services, but also to provide services to new and developing residential areas across the city.

An extending network

The population of the GDA is steadily increasing and Dublin Bus are continuously monitoring the expansion of areas which prove to be the optimum solution to the cost of living in the heart of Dublin City Centre. The role of the bus is critical in meeting the needs of people in these developing areas. North West Dublin is one such area which has experienced significant population growth and in recognition of this, Dublin Bus decided to deploy the larger sized triaxle buses across this area to meet the increase in demand for bus services that has accompanied this growth. Also, since the introduction of new and additional buses under Transport 21, five new high frequency cross city bus routes have been launched together with the upgrade and improvement of eight existing routes.

Dublin Bus have also been working with the Quality Bus Network Office in the region to achieve increased prioritisation across the city through the continuous introduction of Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs). These priority schemes for buses help combat congestion which equates to increased reliability and a reduction in journey times of bus services, thus they ensure a greater adherence to the timetable, providing a more predictable service for the public. For example, on the QBC at the North Quays in Dublin City Centre, which was completed last year, the average journey time has been reduced by 15 minutes.

For the passenger, all this translates into increased frequency of service, extended routes, improved journey times and therefore a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. Under the Transport 21 Investment Programme, bus passenger capacity is expected to grow by 60%. Also, increased investment in QBCs has played a significant part in changing commuter behaviour. For example, in the South-East of Dublin between 1997 and 2005, the percentage of commuters who opted for the bus over a private car, during the morning peak period, rose from 41% to 57% and this figure is continuing to rise due to Transport 21 funding.

A greener, safer network

In keeping with Dublin Bus’ commitment to greener business practices and to combat the negative impact fuel emissions have on the environment, the new EV model engines and triaxle engines are designed to meet the highest European Union (EU) emission standards. Equipped with engine technology, which will result in lower fuel emissions, these buses have nine litre engines that are compliant with the EU’s Directive 4. The new vehicles incorporate Selective Catalytic Reduction technology which requires the injection of a Urea solution (Adblue) into the exhaust as an after treatment. This technology is especially effective in reducing pollutants such as nitrous oxides and particulate emissions. In addition to improvements in levels of fuel emissions, developments in engine standards have resulted in an increase in fuel efficiency.

Health and safety in Dublin Bus remains a top priority and is a key part in providing the community with a safe and reliable public transport service. The entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras with eight internal cameras which cover both upstairs and downstairs, and one camera at the front entrance looking out the front window of the bus. Buses introduced into the fleet in 2007 have nine cameras which include a reverse camera at the back of the bus. Each Dublin Bus depot has a designated member of staff who monitors and maintains the CCTV system, which uses the most modern digital technology available, ensuring a very high quality and standard.

Access for all

An important element of Transport 21 is the improvement of public transport accessibility. Dublin Bus is committed to improving accessibility and in January 2000, the company adopted a policy that all new buses purchased would be low-floor wheelchair accessible. Currently, 70% of the fleet is low-floor wheelchair accessible and Dublin Bus expects to achieve its aim of having a fully accessible fleet by 2012. In March 2008, a further 22 routes across the Dublin Bus network were designated low-floor wheelchair accessible as a result of the Transport 21 Investment Programme and the company’s fleet replacement programme.

All low-floor wheelchair accessible buses include a range of features. In addition to the removal of a step upon entry, the floor level of the buses can be lowered further and a ramp extended to facilitate entry by people with mobility and sensory impairments. The traditional hand pole has been removed and replaced with an electrically operated power arm controlled from the cab by the bus driver. This makes it far easier for the wheelchair user to access the wheelchair bay and travel more comfortably. Also, the bottom deck of these buses has a new layout with more space allocated for the wheelchair user or for customers travelling with children and buggies. Buses also have improved interior lighting, improved grip bars and palm activated bell pushes – all of which will aid the transportation of people with sensory impairments.

This is just one of the initiatives which form part of the company’s ‘Transport for All’ Plan. In conjunction with this, Dublin Bus launched the free Travel Assistance Scheme in 2007. The aim of this scheme is to promote independent use of public transport amongst those who have mobility or sensory impairments and learning difficulties. Practical advice is offered to those who require information and confidence to use public transport. In addition to this, a trained ‘Travel Assistant’ will call to the individual’s house and accompany them on a journey using the service.

Dublin Bus’ service information is also currently in the process of being revamped in order to make it easier for customers to access information on the services relevant to them. The first phase of this project includes a complete overhaul of the structure of our bus stops, with a move towards more frequency based timetables allowing customers to calculate the minimum length of time they are likely to wait.

Visibility has also been improved with a new colour scheme and an increase in font size. These new style bus-stops have a modern chrome finish, and are designed to fit in with new bus shelter design and with the updated streetscape within the city centre. This is a proven design which complies with the highest accessibility standards. A number of stops have also added accessibility features, such as tactile features and kassel kerbing. This is a specially designed type of kerb which raises the level of the pavement making boarding the bus much easier.

Looking to the future

The next phase in the deployment of new buses funded under Transport 21 in North West Dublin will take place in the coming weeks, which will facilitate the introduction of direct services to the city centre using developed QBCs. There will also be a continued effort by Dublin Bus to facilitate regional development and sustain passenger growth through new routes and improved services, ensuring that travelling on the bus is as straightforward as possible for passengers and continuing to make public transport an attractive alternative to private car usage.

The Government’s Transport 21 initiative is a long-term financial commitment to improve and develop public transport in the Greater Dublin Area. Through the funding provided under the plan, Dublin Bus can ensure that the best service possible is provided for passengers travelling on Dublin Bus services, thereby remaining the most effective public transport provider in the Greater Dublin Area.

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