Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 356: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the journey time for Dublin Bus from Blanchardstown shopping centre is exceeding 85 minutes for a nine mile journey; his plans, short, medium or long-term which can reduce the time of this journey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25036/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With the aid of funding from my Department (from the Dublin Transportation Office Traffic Management Grants scheme), the Quality Bus Network (QBN) Office, Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council are engaged on a programme of extending the Quality Bus Network within the greater Blanchardstown region.

The Blanchardstown QBC enhancement scheme (comprising the Blanchardstown Road (north and south) scheme, Huntstown bus gate, Navan Road first priority inbound and outbound, Blanchardstown Town Centre Interchange, Blakestown Way, Blanchardstown Village, the N3 outbound and inbound (MCC to Scotts Roundabout), Prussia Street contra-flow concept design) is a priority scheme for the QBN Project Office in its 2006-2007 work programme. It will have a significant positive impact on journey times between Blanchardstown and the city centre.

Recent and imminent developments include the opening of the new Ongar Road with dedicated bus lanes in December 2005, the construction of the Snugborough Road QBC which has an anticipated completion date of August 2006, and construction by Green Property of a new bus interchange and bus priority access to Blanchardstown Town Centre which has an anticipated completion date of October 2006. Approval has also been obtained to convert the inbound hard shoulder on the N3 to a dedicated bus lane from the Littlepace N3 Interchange.

Dublin Bus is working closely with the responsible agencies and has increased the number of buses on the Blanchardstown Quality Bus Corridor by over 10% to counteract current congestion difficulties.