Pictured above: NTA CEO Anne Graham and James Caffrey, Head of Finance at Go-Ahead Ireland.
New livery, new operator for bus routes 45a, 59, 63 and 75
Four bus routes are to switch from Dublin Bus to Go-Ahead Ireland from Sunday October 7, in a move that will see improved services, not just on these routes, but in other parts of the network too.
Passengers on these routes will see immediate improvements in frequency and service levels from Sunday, and on about 20 other routes being transferred to Go-Ahead in the weeks and months ahead.
In addition, the switchover of routes will free up resources which has allowed NTA to approve a major programme of service enhancements including significant frequency improvements on 25 Dublin Bus routes.
NTA Chief Executive Officer Anne Graham said: “In the coming weeks and months, we will see a very substantial increase in frequency and service levels on about 50 bus routes in Dublin, operated under the Transport for Ireland brand, by both Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland.”
“This is the single biggest programme of service improvements that the NTA has ever approved and it is indicative of the level of commitment we have to making the bus service better for more passengers across the network in Dublin.”
“This represents good news for the customer who from Sunday will begin to benefit from more frequent buses at both peak and off-peak times, as well as at weekends.”
“It’s also good news from a job-creation point of view with 165 drivers already recruited by Go-Ahead, and another 175 planned. And of course, Dublin Bus are maintaining their full driver complement.”
Ed Willis, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland said: “We are delighted to commence operation of further services and are looking forward to providing a quality service to our customers and playing our part in helping to keep Dublin moving.”
ROUTES SWITCHING TO GO-AHEAD IRELAND
From Sunday October 7, the Routes 45A, 75, 63 & 59 will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland as Transport for Ireland services under a Public Service Obligation contract with the National Transport Authority.
- Fares remain unchanged
- TFI Leap Card and Free Travel Pass accepted on Go-Ahead Ireland services
- Rambler as well as Annual and Monthly TaxSaver tickets are valid on these routes
- Daily and weekly bus fare capping will apply to Go-Ahead Ireland services
There will be route amendments and frequency improvements to services on these routes:
Route 45a – Dun Laoghaire to Kilmacanogue
- Daytime frequency enhanced to every 20 minutes, and every 30 minutes each evening and Sunday daytimes.
- Existing journeys diverting via Shanganagh Cliffs Estate are numbered 45B to distinguish them from the standard route, but apart from this the route is the same as the 45A.
Route 59 – Dun Laoghaire to Killiney
- Departure times between Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey and vice versa have been coordinated with service 111 where possible to offer more evenly spaced departures along these roads.
- The route stays the same and there are no route variations.
Route 63 – Dun Laoghaire to Kilternan
- Weekday daytime frequency remains every 30 minutes with first and last bus times broadly similar.
- Frequency enhanced to every 30 minutes evenings and Sunday daytimes.
Route 75 – Dun Laoghaire to Tallaght
- Existing journeys via Sandyford Business Park will remain and be augmented at peak periods. These enhance the number of peak journeys between Dundrum and Tallaght.
- The route is changed in Dundrum to now serve Main Street, Taney Road and Sydenham Road to allow for better travel opportunities with connections on to the Luas Green line.
- The timetable has been coordinated with the route 175 between Dundrum and Tallaght to offer more evenly spread departures throughout the day.
- First and last journey times are similar and additional Sunday morning and evening journeys will be introduced.
EXPANSION OF DUBLIN BUS SERVICES
The switchover of routes will free up resources in Dublin Bus which has allowed NTA to approve a major expansion programme including significant frequency improvements on 25 separate Dublin Bus routes.
These improvements will help meet increased demand at peak periods and will encourage greater use of bus services during the off peak period and on Saturdays and Sundays.
Frequency improvements will be introduced on a phased basis as driver and vehicle resources become available.
From Sunday October 7
Route 14 – Ardlea Road to Dundrum via Malahide Road, City Centre and Rathmines
Monday to Friday
Daytime frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Saturday
Morning frequency to be doubled from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes
Daytime frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Evening frequency doubled from every 40 minutes to every 20 minutes
Sunday
Morning frequency improved from every 40 minutes to every 30 minutes
Daytime frequency improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
Evening frequency improved from every 40 minutes to every 30 minutes
From Sunday October 21
Route 1 – Santry to Sandymount via City Centre
Monday to Friday
Full 10 minute service to operate additionally from Santry in morning peak period
Daytime frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Evening frequency improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
Morning peak services to operate from both Santry and Sandymount every 10 minutes
Saturday
Services to commence 1 hour earlier at 0700
20 minute frequency to commence earlier at 0900 and operate throughout the day to last bus
Sunday
Services to commence 1 hour earlier at 0900
Route 15 – Clongriffin to Ballycullen Road via Malahide Road, City Centre and Rathmines
Monday to Friday
Evening frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Saturday
Evening frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Sunday
Daytime frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Evening frequency doubled from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes
Route 15A – Limekiln Avenue to Ringsend Road via Rathmines and City Centre
Sunday
Services to commence earlier from Limekiln Avenue at 0815
Route 15b – Stocking Avenue to Ringsend Road via Rathmines and City Centre
Monday to Friday
Services to commence earlier from Stocking Avenue at 0600
Daytime frequency to be improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Saturday
Early morning frequency doubled from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes
Daytime frequency improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Evening frequency increased from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
Sunday
Daytime frequency improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
Route 27 – Clarehall to Jobstown via Malahide Road, City Centre, Crumlin and Tallaght
Monday to Friday
Daytime frequency improved from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes
Evening frequency improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
Saturday
Daytime frequency improved from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes
Evening frequency improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
Sunday
Services to commence earlier at 0800 from Clarehall and Jobstown
Daytime frequency to be improved from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes
Evening frequency improved from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The following routes will be transferred to Go-Ahead Ireland in phases over the coming weeks and months
- 111, 184, 185 (indicative date: Oct 21, 2018)
- 17A, 33A, 220, 33B 102, 104 (indicative date: Nov 2, 2018)
- 17, 18, 76, 76A 114, 161 236, 238, 239, 270 (indicative date: Jan 20, 2019)
Improvements to the following Dublin Bus routes will be introduced on a phased basis as driver and vehicle resources become available over the coming months.
- Route 1 – Santry to Sandymount via City Centre
- Route 4 – Harristown to Monkstown via Ballymun Road, City Centre and Ballsbridge
- Route 13 – Harristown to Grange Castle via Ballymun Road, City Centre and Clondalkin
- Route 16 – Dublin Airport to Ballinteer via Santry, City Centre and Rathfarnham
- Route 25a – Lucan Esker to Merrion Square via Chapelizod Bypass and City Centre
- Route 25b – Adamstown to Merrion Square via Chapelizod Bypass and City Centre
- Route 26 – Palmerstown to Merrion Square via Chapelizod Village and City Centre
- Route 38 – Damastown to Burlington Road via New Cabra Road, Phibsborough and City Centre
- Route 38a – Damastown to Burlington Road via New Cabra Road, Phibsborough and City Centre
- Route 39a – Ongar to UCD Belfield via Blanchardstown Centre, Old Cabra Road and City Centre
- NEW Route 40e – Tyrellstown to Broombridge Luas via West Finglas
- NEW Route 45 from Bray DART Station to Ikea via N11/Stillorgan Road, City Centre and Ballymun
- Route 54a – Kiltipper to Pearse Street via Tallaght and Harold’s Cross
- Route 66 Maynooth to Merrion Square via Chapelizod Village and City Centre
- Route 66a – Leixlip Captain’s Hill to Merrion Square via Chapelizod Village and City Centre
- Route 66b – Leixlip Castletown to Merrion Square via Chapelizod Village and City Centre
- NEW Route 66e – Maynooth to Merrion Square via Glen Easton, Chapelizod Village and City Centre
- Route 70 – Dunboyne to Burlington Road via Blanchardstown Bypass, Old Cabra Road and City Centre
- Route 83 – Harristown to Kimmage via Glasnevin, Phibsboro and City Centre
- Route 84/a – Newcastle to Blackrock via Greystones and Bray