Overall, the BusConnects proposal envisages the provision of about 230 kilometres of bus lanes on sixteen of the busiest bus corridors in Dublin, which we refer to as “Radial Core Bus Corridors.” Our intention is to develop these bus corridors so that each will have continuous bus priority – in other words, a continuous bus lane in each direction, along with segregated cycle lanes where practicable. [embed id="embed_2"] The proposals in the Core Bus Corridors Project will improve bus journey times for passengers in Dublin, the proposals which if implemented will provide the following: 230 km of continuous bus priority over 16 radial core bus corridors. 200 km of cycle tracks and cycle lanes provided on the corridors. Journey time savings of up to 40%-50% across the 16 radial core bus corridors. By providing a high-quality, frequent and reliable bus service, we can make Dublin a more attractive place to live, work and visit. With quicker journeys and reliable services, the city will seem like a smaller, more accessible place and everywhere will be within an easy bus ride of just about anywhere else. All of Dublin – all of its colleges, offices, retail streets; all of its coffee shops; all of its pubs and bookshops; all of its restaurants and theatres; all of its character – will be opened up, to all of its citizens and all of its visitors. [embed id="embed_1"]

BusConnects is not just about buses. It is also about providing high quality cycling facilities, segregated from the bus lanes and general traffic lanes. There will be an estimated 200 km of cycle tracks/lanes. The major bus corridors across Dublin city are also the main cycling arteries. The widening of these roads for bus lanes provides the opportunity to transform the cycling infrastructure at the same time. This avoids cyclists sharing bus lanes with buses and will remove many of the conflicts between buses and cyclists. [embed id="embed_2"] In addition, we will also use this unique opportunity to make a better environment for pedestrians as we improve these corridors. In particular, we will improve the quality of footpaths and pedestrian crossings as well as improving pedestrian facilities at junctions. This initiative forms the foundation of the overall Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan. BusConnects is the single biggest cycling infrastructure plan in the history of the state. [embed id="embed_1"]

The core bus corridor project will deliver on improving journey times and creating certainty and confidence in the bus system. Providing dedicated bus lanes ensures punctuality, reliability and increased frequency of services. Potential journey time savings of up to 40-50% per corridor. People can have greater certainty about when they will arrive at their destination, because their bus will no longer be affected by general traffic congestion. [embed id="embed_1"]

Tackling the challenges of climate change is a national priority and BusConnects will contribute significantly to that objective. It will do this by encouraging people to move from cars onto sustainable transport modes such as buses. Making bus journeys shorter and quicker and reducing overall congestion. Substantial research is currently on-going into electric bus solutions, with the technology evolving rapidly and several manufacturers now bringing different vehicle options to market. A fleet acquisition plan will be developed to transition the bus fleet to a low emission vehicle type (or types), with the first vehicles under that strategy to go into service very soon. [embed id="embed_1"]

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