COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

QUESTION NO. 11

QUESTION: Councillor C. Keane

"To ask the Manager to forward the following query to Dublin Bus

"Why cannot buses from the south side be routed from the south suburbs to say Kevin Street/St. Stephens Green and those from the north suburbs be routed to Parnell Square and all supported by small easily manouvered 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 up 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 St. 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 appear 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 hours journey to or from O'Connell Street (less than five miles) on the 16 route or, if travelling on the 15 bus a circuitous tour of the villages of Templeogue, Terenure, Rathgar, Rathmines before deciding to head 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 viz. some certainty, feeder services and some alternative to buses crawling through the city centre."?

REPLY:

If the question is approved, the matter will be referred to Dublin Bus for their attention and when a reply is received the Councillor will be notified accordingly.