Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2011-2030

Longer distance bus servicesLonger distance commuter or express type busservices will continue to link the HinterlandDesignated Towns, as well as the larger DesignatedDistricts and towns outside the Greater Dublin Area,to Dublin city centre. These services need to operateat attractive frequencies, especially where a frequentrail service is absent. There will be an increasingneed for these services to integrate with rail servicesin the Metropolitan area as the rail network evolves,and to serve outer Metropolitan Designated Townsand major employment areas along their route.Measure BUS 5:The Authority will seek the provision ormaintenance of an express or limited stop typebus service from the Hinterland DesignatedTowns and larger Designated Districts toDublin city centre at regular intervals,operating with, at a minimum:(i)a 20 minute frequency at peak timesand a 30 minute inter-peak daytimefrequency in the case of the HinterlandDesignated Towns; and(ii) a 1 hour frequency at peak times and a 2hour inter-peak daytime frequency in thecase of the larger Designated Districts.10.2.3 Bus priority infrastructureBus priority in the Dublin Metropolitan Area hasimproved considerably in recent years, and as aresult significant improvements to bus journey timesand reliability have been achieved. However seriousdelays to buses still occur on many parts of the busnetwork, and where road traffic grows, these delaysare likely to worsen. A renewed emphasis will beplaced on upgrading and enhancing bus priority toovercome these delays with a particular focus onaddressing known ‘pinch points’.Bus priority needs to be a fundamental feature ofbus corridors carrying, or targeted to carry, a highnumber of passengers. In addition, bus priority isalso required at locations where significant delaysto bus services exist.Bus priority measures can take various forms including:• Dedicated provision of road space (bus lanes);• Priority for buses at traffic signals, via selectivevehicle detection; and• Restrictions to some or all other road vehicleson a section of road.Services will include stops and interchangepoints where appropriate at outerMetropolitan town centres and employmentcentres and key suburban rail/Luas or Metrostations along a route.Chapter 10: page 4 www.2030vision.ie