Chronic City Centre Congestion: More Dublin Bus Routes Diverted
Ten more Dublin Bus routes are going to be diverted away from the College Green area.
The changes will take effect from March 5th, and follow 17 other routes already moved which the National Transport Authority says has "improved the operation of bus and tram services in the area."
Transport bosses say they want to make room for the arrival of more longer Luas trams and a rise in tourist numbers over summer.
Traffic around College Green has become extremely heavy since the Luas Cross City line opened in December.
"Following a period of monitoring, further changes will be implemented to cater for the increase in the number of longer trams that will come on stream over the coming weeks and for the higher pedestrian volumes that will arise in College Green as we move into the tourist season – this will require more signal time to be devoted to pedestrian crossing movement", a statement explained.
From Monday 5th March, changes will be made to these 10 Dublin Bus routes:
- Route 4 northbound to reroute via Tara Street Burgh Quay (AM Peak only)
- Route 7, 7b, 7d northbound to reroute via Tara Street Burgh Quay (AM Peak only)
- Route 145 northbound to reroute via Tara St to Heuston
- Route 84X northbound to reroute via Tara Street towards Eden Quay
- Route 116 northbound to reroute via Tara Street Burgh Quay
- Route 118 northbound to reroute via Tara Street towards Eden Quay
- Route 120 southbound to reroute Hawkins Street Townsend Street Merrion Square (Peak only)
- Route 44 southbound to reroute via Abbey Street Hawkins Street
- Route 51D southbound to reroute Hawkins Street Townsend Street Merion Square
- Route 142 southbound to reroute Hawkins Street Townsend Street Merion Square
The National Transport Authority says it will also have discussions with representatives of the taxi industry in relation to "potential taxi changes."
In a statement, Dublin Bus said it will "continue to work with Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority on solutions to alleviate delays being experienced by our customers."
"Any further solutions proposed must involve all transport modes, which operate in the city centre and must have a balanced approach", it said.