Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Deputy will be aware that, building on the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, the National Development Plan, which was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040 in February of this year, outlines a number of major investments in Public Transport in the Greater Dublin Area. Over the period leading up to 2027, the NDP will deliver the new Metrolink, the DART Expansion Programme, and BusConnects Dublin.

The NDP also includes maintenance of the current Public Transport network, fleet renewal, maintaining and upgrading heavy rail infrastructure, the appraisal and design of extending the Luas network for when and where it is needed, investment in cycling and walking facilities, accessibility upgrades, and the roll out of next generation ticketing systems.

The delivery of increased capacity, improved service quality, and greater choice in terms of Public Transport, as well as making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle, will reduce the need for commuters to drive as their primary form of transport. Providing an attractive alternative to drivers is one of the main ways that traffic congestion in Dublin can be relieved.

The National Transport Authority meets regularly with the relevant local authorities and public transport service providers to monitor and react to traffic issues in the city and its environs, and to identify and implement service improvements. Improvements in traffic congestion require a combination of some short term measures together with a substantial programme of medium and longer term projects that will deliver sustainable alternative transport options and increased capacity.

The traveling public should see the initial benefits of the bus service redesign as part of BusConnects early in 2020.  The first benefits of the DART Expansion Programme will be seen by 2022, when the fully-electrified DART line will be extended to Balbriggan, unlocking potential for increased high-frequency and higher-speed services.

The M1 corridor will significantly benefit from these investments. Though the full BusConnects programme is currently at the public consultation stage, it is expected that a core bus corridor will be developed between Swords and the city centre, to allow for faster and more efficient bus travel. The emerging preferred route of Metrolink, which is also at the public consultation stage, would see the north-south urban railway service run between Swords and Sandyford, connecting key destinations including Dublin Airport. It will deliver 25 minute journeys from Swords to the city centre, and 20 minute journeys from Dublin Airport to the city centre. Meanwhile, the DART Expansion Programme will see the DART extend to Balbriggan by 2022 and onwards to Drogheda in the following years. A series of strategically-positioned park and ride facilities will be developed alongside these investments, to open up their benefits to a wider geographical area.