COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 11, 2008

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor D. Keating

To ask the Manager to present a detailed report on his recent discussions with Dublin Bus and the Department of Transport as part of his efforts to secure a more regular and flexible bus service for the people of this county. Many people are frustrated owing to the increase in traffic congestion arising from the car dependant society that we have. Whilst LUAS and Metro remain at planning and design stages many of our transport and related congestion issues could be resolved by enhancing our bus service at a fraction of the cost of rail. 

REPLY:

Officials from South Dublin County Council and Dublin Bus have met and will continue to meet regarding common issues.

These meetings ensure that bus services, in the South Dublin area, are operated efficiently and regularly, these meetings have contributed to the minimisation of delays to bus services during the upgrade works at the M50 interchanges and continuing meetings will take place during the works on the N4 and other similar major projects.

Further ongoing meetings, including meetings with the Quality Bus Network Office, develope the Quality Bus Corridor, and bus priority measures programme that are currently ongoing. Many of the QBC's provided, are included as part of major construction project upgrades. New bus services have been provided on the South Clondalkin  and Rathfarnham QBC's following the construction of these projects. Many existing services are enhanced also from such measures, on an ongoing basis.

As the Member is aware the provision of bus services has been discussed by the Transportation SPC on a number of occasions and it is the recommended policy of this Council that the bus service is the key provider of public transport in the short term.

South Dublin County Council Roads and Transportation Section embrace every opportunity to upgrade and modify our infrastructure, to encourage travellers to use walking, cycling and public transport, as an alternative to the private car, within the County, whenever possible, and have ongoing liaison, with various private and public interests, to further initiatives to progress these aims.