BusConnects aims to transform Dublin’s bus network, promising a boost in service quality, decluttered routes that prevent redundancy, and speedy travel times. How do regular passengers view the existing services?
Frank Doyle from Donnybrook remarks, “I’m typically waiting for either the 155 or the 46a to return home. I believe our bus service is amazing. I have two bus choices at this stop and if I walk to the subsequent stop, I can catch two different buses. I’d like something done about the traffic situation around D’Olier Street or Westmoreland Street where delays are frequent. An occasional unscheduled bus might show up, but that’s not an issue. I am a daily bus user with a free pass, and find it to be a great resource.”
Margaret Gannon, a resident of Finglas, presents a different viewpoint, “The bus services are inconsistent and depends on the time of day. Mostly, I rely on the bus at least once a week to get into the city. I wish the buses were more punctual and if the real-time displays say a bus is approaching, it should. The screen often fluctuates from five to seven minutes instantaneously. My bus routes are yet to alter under BusConnects but I anticipate they will soon. Regardless, as long as the bus roughly follows my usual route, like the number 14 does, and is near to my house, it’s fine. The bus usually arrives every 15 minutes, but depending on the time of day, it might take 20 minutes.”
Kay Madill from Kilmainham also shared her thoughts but her views were not included in this response.
“I recently travelled by bus from Kilmainham to the city centre on the G2 route, before then catching the 16 bus to visit my brother in Santry. I’ve found the bus services to be efficient overall. The only issue I have is with the 13 bus route – it’s not as regular as the others. Despite it offering a direct route from Kilmainham to Ballymun Road, I prefer taking two separate buses because it’s a quicker route. I frequently use the G2, part of the BusConnects, and find it excellent. It even takes me to O’Connell Street where I can catch the Swords Express to visit my sister in Swords. I make use of the bus services almost every day, for various journeys.” – Sophia Martin from Blanchardstown shared.
Monica McCarthy from Thurles, who uses the bus frequently for commuting to work and university, was not very pleased with the services. She found the timing issues of the 38 bus as a major problem that kept her waiting beyond the scheduled time, which has resulted in being late for work on several occasions resulting in problems with her employer. She stated, “What is needed is better precision with the real-time schedule. Apart from this predicament, the services are quite decent.”
Meanwhile, a visitor from Tipperary who was accompanied by her sister-in-law for a visit to St Vincent’s hospital expressed satisfaction with the bus services in the city. She observed that the buses were reliable during her previous visit as well. She admitted that back home, her usual mode of transport is a car and found the bus services a convenient alternative in the city.