Following three rounds of public consultation that began in 2017, the NTA finalised and published the new Dublin area bus network in September 2020. The overall objective of the new network is to provide a network that better meets the needs of the overall region and takes account of the growing population and changing travel patterns. Key characteristics of the proposals include a simpler network centred on 8 main Spines (A to H), more frequent services, particularly off-peak and at weekends, plus better coverage of the city including more orbital connections.
The overall network represents a major investment in enhanced bus services, delivering a 35% increase in annual “in-service” kilometres, a significant increase in overall capacity and frequency for customers, as well as more evening and weekend services. This new bus network plan took into account issues raised by over 72,000 submissions at the various stages of public consultation. The implementation of the new network, known as the Dublin Network Redesign Project, is being delivered in phases over a number of years, starting in 2021. The Phases implemented to date are described below.
Passenger Boardings for Implemented Network Redesign Phases 2019 to 2023
Changes to planned L1, L2, and L3 routes in North Wicklow
The next phase of the BusConnects Network Redesign will include the introduction of a number of routes in North Wicklow including the L1, L2 and L3. After consultation with Wicklow County Council, and taking into account the new residential developments in the area, our plans for these three local routes have changed. More details and maps are available from the following link – Dublin South East Revised Routes.
Based on the changes to the Wicklow services, an updated map of the Network Redesign can be viewed at the following link Network Redesign Map.
Phase 5B – incorporating western and southern suburban W and S orbital routes
Phase 5b of the Network Redesign commenced on the 26 of November 2023 and involved the introduction of new Southern orbital, radial and local routes. Routes S2, 74 and L25 are operated by Dublin Bus and Routes S4, S6, S8, W2 and L55 are operated by Go-Ahead Ireland. Legacy orbital routes 17, 18, 75/a, 76/a and 175 were removed.
There was an annual increase of 1,697,000km or 51% in scheduled service-km, compared to equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of Phase 5b. More information is available on the Transport for Ireland website.
Phase 5A – incorporating outer western suburban W orbital routes
Phase 5a launched on 25 June 2023, comprising the W Orbital routes in the west and south-west regions of Dublin, serving the areas of Newcastle, Saggart, Citywest, Tallaght, Liffey Valley, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Hazelhatch, Maynooth, and Celbridge.
This Phase saw the introduction of new W Orbital routes W4, W61 and W62, all operated by GoAhead Ireland. These three new routes run on average every 15-30 minutes on weekdays and every 30-60 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. Phase 5a provides an annual increase of 1,254,000km in scheduled service-km. There were no equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of this Phase. For more information visit the Transport for Ireland website.
Phase 4 – incorporating G-Spine routes
Phase 4 launched on 16 October 2022 serving the areas of Red Cow, Ballyfermot, City Centre, Spencer Dock, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Clondalkin, Cherry Orchard, Decies Road, Islandbridge and Sir John Rogerson’s Quay. This Phase saw the introduction of the G-Spine routes G1, G2 and Route 60, all operated by Dublin Bus, with G1 and G2 Spines operating on a 24 hours basis. Routes 79, 79a and the Western part of Route 40 were discontinued as part of this Phase.
Phase 4 provided an annual increase of 937,000km or 32% in scheduled service-km, compared to equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of Phase 4. For more information visit the Transport for Ireland website.
Phase 3 – incorporating northern suburban N orbital routes
Phase 3 of the Network Redesign launched on 29 May 2022 in the north of Dublin. This Phase introduced northern orbital routes N4 (City Docklands-Finglas-Blanchardstown) and N6 (Kilbarrack-Finglas), with Route N4 operating on a 24 hour basis each day. The introduction of these new routes coincided with the removal of the previously existing 17a and 31d. This Phase provides an annual increase of 1,376,000km or 108% in scheduled service-km, compared to equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of Phase 3. To find out more visit the Transport for Ireland website.
Phase 2 – incorporating C-Spine routes
Phase 2 of the BusConnects Network Redesign launched on 28th November 2021 serving the communities of Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Lucan, Adamstown, Liffey Valley and Palmerstown to the City Centre as well as Ringsend and Sandymount. This saw the introduction of the C-Spine (C1, C2, C3, C4), route 52, eight peak only routes (P29, X25, X26, X27, X28, X30, X31 and X32) and six local routes (L51, L52, L53, L54, L58 and L59). Two night-time routes (C5 and C6) were also be introduced. This phase is primarily operated by Dublin Bus, with the exception of the L51 and L52 which will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland. This Phase provides an annual increase of 1,649,000 km or 32% in scheduled service-km, compared to equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of Phase 2. More information on the C-Spine is on the Transport for Ireland website.
Phase 1 – incorporating H-Spine routes
The National Transport Authority in conjunction with Dublin Bus launched the first phase of the new BusConnects network for Dublin in June 2021. Phase 1 included routes connecting Dublin’s north east to the city centre covering the areas of Howth, Baldoyle, Donaghmede, Raheny, Malahide, Portmarnock and Howth. The H-Spine branches deliver fast and frequent services to the city centre. Services on H1 (from Baldoyle), H2 (from Malahide) and H3 (from Howth) provide greater levels of service to these residents and the surrounding communities. This Phase provides an annual increase of 617,000 km or 44% in scheduled service-km, compared to equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of Phase 1. Click here for more information on the H spine.
Background to the new BusConnects Network for Dublin
As mentioned previously following three rounds of public consultation which began in 2017, the National Transport Authority published the new Dublin Area bus network in September 2020. This new bus network plan is the final version resulting from previous redesign proposals and with consideration given to issues raised by over 72,000 submissions. All information related to the New Dublin Area Bus Network can be viewed and downloaded below, including a map of the overall network, local area maps, the 2019 consultation report and summary document.
Network services, including routes, frequencies, interchange, spine and orbital routes were all considered in the redesigned network, to ensure demand for public transport can be met, in the medium and long terms. Under the plans, the network will be arranged on the basis of spines radiating from the city centre, supported by other services. The new routes consist of:
- Spines – frequent routes made up of individual bus services timetabled to work together along a corridor. At the end of the corridor, the individual services branch off to serve different areas.
- Orbitals – services operating around the city. They provide connections between suburbs and town centres, without having to travel into the City Centre. They also provide connections to rail, Luas and other bus routes.
- Other City Bound Routes – services operating into Dublin City Centre. These services are not part of any spine and operate on their own timetable.
- Local Routes – services providing important connections within local areas, linking to local retail centres and to onward transport connections.
- Peak-Only Routes – services operating during the peak travel periods, generally weekday mornings and evenings, providing additional capacity along key bus corridors.
- Express Routes – direct services from outer suburbs to the City Centre at peak commute hours, operating a limited stop service to get passengers to their destinations faster.
The benefits of the Network Redesign include an overall increase in bus services of 23%, increased peak hour capacity, increased evening and weekend services, 24 hour operations on some routes, a 16% increase in the number of residents located within 400m of a frequent bus service to the city centre, new connections to schools, hospitals and other essential services and increased access to jobs and education.