Madam, – The comment by the Dublin Bus representative that the College Green traffic restrictions have cut down significantly on bus travel times through the city raises again the fundamental question as to why are they using this area at all. Dublin Bus appears to have an obsession with cross-city routes, which means a very large number of buses permanently crawling in both directions between Parnell Square and College Green, resulting in poor travel times and no certainty as to when a bus will arrive.
Why cannot buses from the southside be routed from the southern suburbs to Kevin Street/St Stephen’s Green and those from the northern suburbs be routed to Parnell Square and all supported by small, easily manoeuvred buses that would traverse the city centre as one sees in other European cities?
Buses from the western suburbs could be routed to either Heuston (to link with Luas) or towards Smithfield. Cross-city routes could be part of the overall service but would avoid the city centre and use a peripheral route such as Heuston/Church Street or Butte Bridge in the short term until another crossing is available on the east side.
Rathfarnham falls between the two Luas lines and one would assume that a feeder service would be in place to bring passengers to the Luas. However, Dublin Bus appears to see the Luas as competition and no support is provided. The existing very limited local 161 bus route from Rockbrook to Nutgrove Shopping Centre has not been extended the short distance to Dundrum or Windy Arbour Luas stops.
Rathfarnham residents are left with the resigned acceptance of up to one hour’s journey to or from O’Connell Street (less than five miles) on the 16 route or, if travelling the 15 route, a circuitous tour of the villages of Templeogue, Terenure, Rathgar and Rathmines before heading for the city centre (duration also up to one hour).
If we want people to leave their cars at home, which is what most of us want to do, then a little innovation is required: some certainty, feeder services and some alternative to buses crawling through the city centre.
Yours, etc,