Dublin’s BusConnects programme marks milestone with Phase 5b launch

Credit: Transport for Ireland

The National Transport Authority (NTA), in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, is set to roll-out the next phase of the BusConnects programme on 26 November 2023, unveiling five new orbital routes across south and West Dublin, alongside three additional routes. This marks a significant milestone for the BusConnects initiative, aiming to enhance connectivity and efficiency in the city’s public transport system.

The new routes, S2, S4, S6, S8, W2, L25, L55 and 74, will replace existing routes 17, 18, 61, 75/a, 76/a and 175. The revamped services promise increased frequency and more direct connections, resulting in a remarkable 70% service increase compared to the routes they are replacing.

Phase 5b, spanning the southern and western regions of Dublin, will cater to areas such as Blackrock, Tallaght, Citywest, Ballyfermot, Walkinstown, Rathfarnham, Drimnagh, Churchtown, Dundrum, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Crumlin, Stillorgan, Monkstown, Kimmage, Sandyford, Terenure, Dún Laoghaire and UCD.

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, said: “This phase will give people the opportunity to travel on more direct and frequent bus services across southern and western areas of Dublin. Passengers will be able to travel between suburbs without having to travel into the city. The enhancements will make trips more efficient and is another improvement in connectivity on our city network.”

The BusConnects network re-design, initiated in 2020 following extensive public consultation, aims to increase overall bus services by 23% during peak hours, offering enhanced evening and weekend services and bringing more residents within a short walk of a frequent bus service.

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One notable highlight of Phase 5b is the direct connection to UCD for the first time ever, provided by services at interpeak times on the enhanced S4 and S6 routes, doubling the number of services to 10 per hour in each direction.

Dublin Bus CEO, Billy Hann, said: “The introduction of three new routes, notably the S2 orbital spanning from Poolbeg to Heuston Station, enhances frequency and connectivity, helping us grow public transport usage and ease congestion, making bus services a better and more reliable option.”

Dervla McKay, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland, said: “The new orbitals cover a vast area of South Dublin with services connecting Liffey Valley and UCD, Tallaght and Blackrock Station, as well as City West and Dún Laoghaire.”

To ensure public awareness, NTA has distributed approximately 200,000 information booklets explaining the enhanced services along the new orbitals. The success of Phase 5a, launched in June 2023, has paved the way for Phase 5b, extending the benefits of improved connectivity across all transport modes on the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.