Cllr. Maria Parodi's submission to Dublin Bus Network Direct
Issued : Tuesday 26 April, 2011
As a local councillor representing the communities within Dublin South East Inner City, I would like to make a submission to Dublin Bus Network Direct regarding the proposed changes to bus services in this area. In particular, the changes proposed for the 2 and 3 bus routes and the 50/56a/77/77a bus routes.
I would like to stress that the bus services provided to our community are vital and any changes that are made should benefit the people living and working in the communities of Sandymount, Ringsend, Irishtown and Pearse Street. I strongly believe that public transport in this area needs to be more efficient with improved reliability.
Routes 2 & 3
It is my understanding that Dublin Bus is proposing to amalgamate routes 2 and 3 and that this route will then operate from UCD Belfield via Sandymount and Ringsend to Mountjoy Square. I believe major improvements are needed on this route; in the past, complete unpredictability of bus departure and arrival times on this route has been a serious issue for many commuters using this service. Therefore, I would ask that Dublin Bus ensures that any changes to these routes will greatly improve reliability and efficiency with buses arriving at regular intervals and sticking to the timetables provided at bus stops.
Along with this, I believe that Dublin Bus needs to clarify when off peak times will be in effect at bus stops on this route. Furthermore, I would ask that Dublin Bus reassesses the arrival and departure times of buses during off peak hours so that buses would arrive quicker than the proposed interval of 30 minutes. During the day, residents rely heavily upon the 2 and 3 bus routes. In particular, the older people in our community use the bus service on a daily basis to carry out their business; such as, getting their shopping, visiting the post office or their doctor. In addition to this, St. Vincent’s Hospital is on this bus route and many people rely on the bus to attend medical appointments or visit relatives and friends.
With all the proposed changes being made by Dublin Bus, I believe the residents living in this area should have a guarantee that there will be improved reliability. One way that this can be achieved would be to ensure that Real-time Passenger Information signs are installed at key bus stops along the 2 and 3 bus route.
Routes 50/56a/77/77a
I am extremely disappointed that Dublin Bus is proposing that none of the original four bus routes (50/56a/77/77a) departing from Ringsend Bus garage will no longer collect passengers at Ringsend Road. It is my understanding that it is proposed that the 77a bus route will now operate from Pearse Street to Citywest. I would strongly urge Dublin Bus to extend the 77a bus route to Ringsend Road in order to facilitate the large amount of residents who depend on this bus route.
In the past number of years, this area has become highly developed with apartments and many businesses such as Google, Facebook and Arup whose staff depend on the bus service to travel to and from work. Also, many people who live in the Ringsend, Irishtown, Pearse St and Sandymount areas use this service to get to work, school or into the city centre. Along with this, the 77a is a vital bus route that provides service to three main hospitals in Dublin; the Coombe, Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Tallaght Hospital and many people from the communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount rely on this bus to attend medical appointments or visit relatives and friends.
Route 18
It has been proposed that the route 18 will be extended from Sandymount to North Docklands via Sean Moore Road and Eastlink. I would ask that Dublin Bus reassesses peak times; so that, buses will arrive more frequently and to improve punctuality since the route is being extended.
In conclusion, I would ask that Dublin Bus takes into consideration the impact that the proposals in Network Direct will have on all local communities; in particular, residents living in Ringsend, Irishtown, Sandymount and Pearse Street areas. Our need for a better, more efficient public transport service is far greater now than it ever was. I strongly believe that Dublin Bus has a responsibility to provide a more efficient and reliable transport service for all its customers. Lastly, I think it is imperative that the submissions residents make on these Network Direct proposals are taken into strong consideration by Dublin Bus before any changes are made to the existing bus routes.
Cllr 
