DUBLIN: With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, public transport services in Ireland became active. The first BusConnects network services for Dublin began operation yesterday. The new network design, which aims to improve the city’s infrastructure, will include alterations such as new routes, increased services, and increased capacity.
Dublin Bus’s new BusConnects network (first phase), which aims to increase capacity and frequency for passengers from North-East Dublin, went live on Sunday, June 27.
The new network design required the creation of 16 new bus lanes across the city. There are currently eight spines, which are labeled A-H. The H Spine connects the city centre to the north-east of Dublin in places such as Howth, Baldoyle, Donaghmede, Raheny, Malahide, and Portmarnock.
The new routes began service yesterday, taking over from the current buses in operation (29a, 32, 31, 31a and 31b). As part of these changes, the terminus for route 130 has been moved from Lower Abbey Street to Talbot Street.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) aims to make the new bus connectivity network more beneficial to commuters. As part of this, new bus shelters and timetables will be placed across the city to help passengers know when their bus will arrive. The NTA also noted that the new routes will prioritise speed and reliability.
Bus services will be increased by 23%. Peak-hour capacity will be increased, as will evening and weekend services, and some 24-hour routes will be also introduced.
There will also be more connections to schools and hospitals.
Another initiative offered by Dublin Bus is contactless payment on all routes, which will alleviate congestion on the new services and avoid the need for people to pay in cash or wait for change.
New spines will be introduced in the coming years, with the next set of new services, C-spine, set to launch in autumn 2021. The C- spine buses will run from Sandymount and Ringsend to Lucan and south Kildare, through the city centre.
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