City’s newest campus accessible by bus, bike, train and Luas
Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport this morning (November 7) visited the DIT Campus at Grangegorman, Dublin’s newest third level campus, to congratulate the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), the Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the manner in which public transport and sustainable modes have been built into campus planning, right from the start.
Opened to an initial 1,200 students since September, DIT Grangegorman is served by forty four Dublin Bus routes within walking distance, and further bus services are provided by Bus Éireann and Matthews Coaches. The Smithfield Luas stop provides connections to Tallaght and Docklands as well as interconnecting with Iarnród Éireann services from Heuston and Connolly. Coca-Cola Zero Bikes are conveniently located near Grangegorman and 13 bicycle parking locations are provided on-campus, along with lockers and showers/changing facilities for students and staff. Real-time bus information for nearby services is displayed within the student hub, located in Rathdown House and the North House, and a new Student Guide to all the bus, Luas, cycling and walking options has been provided by the NTA.
All third level students in Ireland can now get a Student Leap Card in order to benefit from special discounted student caps which give unlimited travel on certain services in Dublin. Leap Card holders can also load a range of student tickets that are exclusive to the card, or can simply use it as a flash pass to get discounted paper tickets.
Speaking at the event, Minister Donohoe said: “This new third level campus sets a great example on how a major development should be undertaken. As an elected representative of the local community, I am proud of the work that has gone into creating a vibrant centre of research and learning, here in the heart of the city, with a minimal impact on traffic volumes for the surrounding community. From the outset, planning for the mass-movement of thousands of students was at the heart of accessibility planning, and the three public bodies can be proud of their collaborative approach and early achievements.”
Gerry Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority, and formerly CEO of the GGDA said: “Right from the start, this campus has been planned for sustainability in energy and transport terms. DIT prides itself on its sustainability focus and is an active partner in our Smarter Travel Campus programme while the Grangegorman Development Agency has designed and is now delivering a world-class urban development with education and health facilities. We are pleased to be able to support these ambitions and also look forward to completing Luas Cross City which will bring students right to the campus gates.”
Professor Brian Norton, President of DIT said: “Grangegorman will be the future home for all of DIT and we are delighted that this year the first 1,200 students and staff have moved on campus. It is really important that this city centre campus is accessible for all, so my colleagues have been actively working with the Smarter Travel Campus programme. Bike parking, shower facilities and drying areas are all available on campus and as people become more familiar with the area, demand is growing. We are very grateful to colleagues in the National Transport Authority who have worked with us to optimise transport links and having these now displayed in real time is a great addition.
Michael Hand, Chief Executive of The Grangegorman Development Agency said “One of the key principles of the Masterplan for Grangegorman was to create a permeable and integrated piece of the City. With the completion of the Phoenix Care Centre and the arrival of the first 1,200 DIT students we have already created several new openings. It is fantastic to see local people and school children using the campus daily as a route from Grangegorman Lower through to the North Circular Road. But most importantly, it is by working together with the NTA, DIT, HSE, Dublin Bus and DCC that these new openings are connected to high quality public transport and that is vital for the continued sustainable development of Grangegorman.”
