Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all contributors to this debate. I have listened carefully to what has been said. The first fact to mention is that this is a consultation process document and not an implementation plan. It is also a matter of fact that Dublin city and its environs are growing, the economy is growing, employment is growing, and we need to plan the bus network to cater for that growth and, indeed, for all existing and prospective passengers.

Some 70% of people travelling into Dublin city each morning do so by sustainable transport. Some 57% of all public transport trips, or 136 million passenger journeys annually, are made by bus. As those numbers grow and as congestion worsens, it is obvious that we need a reliable bus system with sufficient capacity to cater for the needs of the region. The current bus network is complex which makes it hard to use easily. We acknowledge that there are few orbital routes, which makes it hard to move around the outer parts of the city. There are also many overlapping routes. There is a need to better integrate our networks of bus, tram and DART transport.

BusConnects Dublin aims to build a network of new bus corridors on the busiest bus routes to make bus journeys for passengers faster, predictable and reliable. It is redesigning the network of bus routes to provide passengers with a more efficient network which connects more places and carries more people. Dublin Bus is developing a state-of-the-art ticketing system and implementing a cashless payment system to vastly speed up passenger boarding times. It is revamping the fare system to provide a simpler fare structure for passengers. Dublin Bus is allowing seamless movement for passengers between different public transport services without financial penalty. It is rolling out new bus stops with better signage and passenger information, and it is increasing the provision of bus shelters. Starting now, it is also transitioning to a new bus fleet using low-emission vehicle technologies.

There will be many benefits. The revised bus network will see overall service levels increase by over a quarter - 27% - up to 200 million customers. This increased service level includes services on 11 new orbital routes that will operate on a 15 minute frequency or better in the north, south and west of the network area. The number of people living within 400 m of a bus service that operates every ten minutes or better will increase by 35% from 480,000 to 650,000. There will be an increase of 10% in the fleet serving greater Dublin area. Significant increases in weekend and post-peak frequencies will also be evident, and more than 200 km of cycle tracks and lanes will be either built or improved upon. This will allow bus commuting to become a viable and attractive choice with frequent services and better access.

It is important that I acknowledge that, as with any proposed change to public services, the necessary consultation on these proposals has caused some anxiety and worry to some members of the public. I am very aware of the anxiety in my own Dún Laoghaire constituency. I want to mention two specific examples which I know have been raised as part of the consultation process in my own constituency. The first is the proposed removal of the 84 and 84A bus routes which service the Luas stations at Cherrywood and Brides Glen. This removal will mean that older people and people with impaired mobility will have no direct access to the Luas. This is because of the grade difference between the N11 and the Wyattville Link Road. One solution has been put forward but BusConnects welcomes other proposals from residents.

The second issue with BusConnects in my constituency is the proposal to discontinue the No. 4 bus service, which will greatly inconvenience residents in parts of Blackrock, Monkstown and Sallynoggin. Many people who have contacted me on this are very anxious and upset. We understand the anxiety. Under the proposed changes, two buses will be required to make previously simple journeys to places such as Blackrock Clinic, St. Vincent's Hospital, the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, IADT, UCD and Trinity College difficult. This will affect a number of students attending school. The location of the nearest DART and Luas services are not within walking distance for many passengers of the No. 4.

This is a vital transport infrastructure for people living in the area. I also have grave concerns for those living in the upper half of Sallynoggin Road where it joins Rochestown Avenue that they will lose their service entirely. As an elected representative for Dún Laoghaire, I want to ensure constituents who have concerns make proposals. I urge them take part in the public consultation process and to engage with the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Dublin Bus. These submissions will be examined carefully.

The current proposal should be reviewed in the context of all submissions received during the consultation process. Further consultation, including with Oireachtas committees, will be undertaken, if required, on the reconfigured plan. This is a consultation process and not an implementation plan.

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