Written answers

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Public Transport Initiatives

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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634. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the steps he has taken to date to alleviate city centre traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31757/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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A multi-agency approach is being taken to alleviate congestion in Dublin city centre. The National Transport Authority (NTA), Dublin City Council (DCC) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with public transport operators, are progressing various measures to ensure efficient functioning of transport within the city centre. This includes a range of measures set out in the 2015 Dublin City Centre Transport Study to facilitate additional capacity for public transport, cycling and walking in the city. As anticipated by the study and in advance of the introduction of Luas Cross City, NTA introduced additional bus lanes along the North and South Quays. In addition, there has been a host of other junction and traffic signal changes implemented in advance of the Luas Cross City becoming operational. Furthermore, the NTA, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council, have reduced bus vehicle volumes passing through the College Green area including changes to access for taxis too. This has further alleviated congestion in this area during morning peak. These parties continue to keep the situation under review.

These measures complement recent investment in public transport infrastructure in the Dublin region which has expanded public transport passenger journey capacity to provide an alternative to private car use. As the Deputy is aware, this includes the city centre rail resignalling project, the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel with direct Kildare Route services to the Docklands; Luas Cross City; ongoing bus fleet replacement; the expansion of public bicycle share schemes, accessibility enhancements, introduction of Real time passenger information (RTPI) and online and app-based RTPI services for bus services and integrated ticketing system (Leap) as a platform for further enhancements to fare and ticketing systems; and sustainable transport projects such as junction upgrades, traffic management measures and bus, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The National Development Plan 2018-2027 includes a number of key public transport priorities for Dublin including BusConnects, MetroLink and priority elements of the DART Expansion Programme. These projects will provide further viable alternatives to car transport for commuters into the city centre to reduce congestion. To supplement these larger projects, a range of other measures are being taken in the short and medium term to deliver additional transport capacity which will have a positive impact on traffic in Dublin city centre. These include:

- A 10 minute all day service on the core DART network will be provided later this year;

- Passengers who use the recently opened Kildare route Phoenix Park tunnel services to Grand Canal Dock will see these services extended to off-peak periods, as well as peak periods later this year;

- The introduction of 28 refurbished rail carriages to re-enter service in 2019;

- An order is expected to be placed in 2019 for diesel-electric rail fleet to provide an extended DART service across the Dublin rail network;

- TII are currently in the design and procurement phase for a new mandatory variable speed limit and lane control system on the M50, with the intention of commencing operations in late 2019/early 2020.

- A new service timetable has been introduced across the Luas network to make optimum use of the new 55m longer trams in service on the Green Line and the introduction of additional capacity between Heuston and the City Centre on the Red Line.

- Over the medium term, further Green Line capacity will be added by lengthening the 26 existing trams to 55m over the period 2019 to 2021. A further 8 new 55m trams will also be delivered in 2021;

- Additional bus fleet will be acquired in 2018 adding extra capacity on busy routes currently experiencing high passenger numbers in peak hours;

- Additional investment in park and ride provision; and in cycling projects.

All of this planned investment in public and sustainable transport combined will greatly improve choice and services and ease congestion in Dublin city.

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