Luas Cross City (Line BX/D) [now open]

LuckyLloyd

Chivito550 wrote: »

Has anybody else noticed the tram seems to be talking longer to reach Stephens Green from south side these days. 23 mins from Ballaly to SSG this morning is pretty dreadful. Loading passengers seems to be taking an age and getting caught behind other trams is becoming more common. What’s going on?

Is there some fundamental incompetence from Transdev? They were a great bunch of lads when they had two non operationally complex and well segregated lines to manage. The complexity has gone up and everything about operational consistency has gone to ****e.

marno21

The Luas/College Green/Dublin traffic issue was brought up in the Dail during the week

The usual fluff and bluster from Shane Ross

https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2018-02-20a.478

Idbatterim

marno21 wrote: »

The Luas/College Green/Dublin traffic issue was brought up in the Dail during the week

The usual fluff and bluster from Shane Ross

https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2018-02-20a.478

they only thing that waffler is an expert in, is planning objections! Who I am sure agrees with the dire need for housing, once it isnt in his consituency!

hmmm

marno21 wrote: »

The Luas/College Green/Dublin traffic issue was brought up in the Dail during the week

The usual fluff and bluster from Shane Ross

https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2018-02-20a.478

Not great answers. Talked a bit about LUAS carriages, and didn't mention the impact on bus passengers.

".....and he is correct that the congestion problem in the city has been unacceptable. It has been addressed."

And then of course you'll always have the gob****e who jumps up to talk about the state of the Ballydehob to Bantry road in the middle of a discussion about Dublin city centre.

Middle Man

Idbatterim wrote: »

there are so many junctions that are small, where luas waits and I dont understand why! A prime example being where hatch street upper intersects with Harcourt st! then from harcourt to stephens green, why cant a sensor trip something when the luas pulls off, so that it can cross the junction moving?

There could be massive improvements made to existing system, also the 10kmph limit on college green! There could be massive improvements made, until Dublin metro is up and running...

Ditto for the junctions on Marlborough Street.

brokenarms

beauf wrote: »

In fairness you'll use alternative trams and buses to cycling if you have a long commute. Most people don't though.

The biggest obstacle is that it's not pleasant without half decent infrastructure. Though for many it's not bad if they'd just try it.

The fastest way around Dublin and into Dublin from anywhere in not car cycles train or bus.


Its motorcycle. Beat anything else hands down.

donvito99

brokenarms wrote: »

beauf wrote: »

In fairness you'll use alternative trams and buses to cycling if you have a long commute. Most people don't though.

The biggest obstacle is that it's not pleasant without half decent infrastructure. Though for many it's not bad if they'd just try it.

The fastest way around Dublin and into Dublin from anywhere in not car cycles train or bus.


Its motorcycle. Beat anything else hands down.

Especially when using bus lanes/bicycle lanes illegally.

donvito99

donvito99 wrote: »

Especially when using bus lanes/bicycle lanes illegally.

Are powered bicycles banned from bicycle lanes?
Ebikes are getting very popular these days and scooters are quite low powered.

brokenarms

donvito99 wrote: »

Especially when using bus lanes/bicycle lanes illegally.

Thats the beauty of it all.

A blind eye is turned by Garda. As long as one is not acting a maggot.
Why? Because in most cases bikes slip through the city with zero impact on any other road user.
If they did clamp down, there would be lobby groups popping up everywhere over safety.

And even it you dont use cycle lanes and bus lanes, you can filter quite legally here. And still beat everything hands down.

monument

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2018/0221/942347-traffic-dublin-transport/

He finally spoke, but only because he was forced to!

I have issues with Keegan — mainly because he’s seen as cycling biased but under his watch the quality, urgency and funding on cycling infrastructure is all lacking (even if the funding part is mainly not his fault, he has to take some blame for the other two).

But Keegan also comes in for a lot of unfair flack.

The problem was not of his making (it was the RPA/TII and the DoT) and he has spoken about the issues at council meeting before.

He and his officials also publicly warned about the problems of Luas when most people were still highly in denial of what was to come.

beauf

brokenarms wrote: »

....

Its motorcycle. Beat anything else hands down.

Certainly gets you in hospital faster than anything else...

You are right a motor bike is the fastest way around. No doubt. It's not for everyone though.

beauf

Deleted User wrote: »

donvito99 wrote: »

Especially when using bus lanes/bicycle lanes illegally.

Are powered bicycles banned from bicycle lanes?
Ebikes are getting very popular these days and scooters are quite low powered.

Only assisted bicycles are legal.

Everything else has to be insured and taxed...

Middle Man

beauf wrote: »

Only assisted bicycles are legal.

Everything else has to be insured and taxed...

Typical!

Middle Man

monument wrote: »

I have issues with Keegan — mainly because he’s seen as cycling biased but under his watch the quality, urgency and funding on cycling infrastructure is all lacking (even if the funding part is mainly not his fault, he has to take some blame for the other two).

But Keegan also comes in for a lot of unfair flack.

The problem was not of his making (it was the RPA/TII and the DoT) and he has spoken about the issues at council meeting before.

He and his officials also publicly warned about the problems of Luas when most people were still highly in denial of what was to come.

In the absence of major structural changes to Dublin's urban fabric, you're deluding yourself if you think cycling is going to work. The Dutch have separate roadways for cycling (not just tracks tacked onto the side of a footpath or road) and for that to happen in Dublin, it would be bulldozer time - the streets (particularly in the older suburbs) would need to be widened drastically and junctions either expanded or grade separated (by way of mode) as is done in the Netherlands. Realistically, what Dublin needs is an underground rail system (not just one line) and it's needed now!!! To get funding, a drastic property tax on extravagant property is needed - many houses along railways lines will need to be bulldozed to make way for quad-tracking as well as massive new stations (something like the Kildare Route Project) - stations like Lansdowne Road, Sydney Parade and Blackrock etc. should have four platforms (Commuter Rail serves these locations, so Up Fast and Down Fast platforms would be required) - like they do it in London!

Jamie2k9

monument wrote: »

I have issues with Keegan — mainly because he’s seen as cycling biased but under his watch the quality, urgency and funding on cycling infrastructure is all lacking (even if the funding part is mainly not his fault, he has to take some blame for the other two).

But Keegan also comes in for a lot of unfair flack.

The problem was not of his making (it was the RPA/TII and the DoT) and he has spoken about the issues at council meeting before.

He and his officials also publicly warned about the problems of Luas when most people were still highly in denial of what was to come.

Warning is one thing, doing nothing is where they have failed.

Buses should have been re-located before it opened and taxi's removed between 06.00-19.00 daily before it opened yet we will be waiting most likely until late summer before any decisive action is taken. IMO the bus changes this week coming wouldn't be needed if taxi's were gone plus better enforcement of private car ban.

The 10mph Luas speed in area's is also a total joke. Surly the Railway Safety Commission should of voiced concerns long before it opened. Again asleep at the wheel.

Its been one big mess from all stakeholders involved...

Sam Russell

Middle Man wrote: »

stations like Lansdowne Road, Sydney Parade and Blackrock etc. should have four platforms (Commuter Rail serves these locations, so Up Fast and Down Fast platforms would be required) - like they do it in London!

Landowne has a huge stadium that cannot be moved. Sydney parade could take a third track on the East side (CIE own the strip of land, but did some deal that removed the bit they need to the North of the level crossing). Blackrock could be expanded but they have the station up for rent. A third track between Sydney Parade and Booterstown might be possible, but I doubt it. Maybe Dun Loughaire
might be possible but it would be expensive. There is room north of DL.

markpb

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Warning is one thing, doing nothing is where they have failed.

The problem is the disparate way that decisions are made. There’s nothing that DCC staff can do about moving Dublin Bus routes because that’s up to the NTA. I’d imagine they wouldn’t be allowed to ban taxis because that would be a decision for the DCC councillors and I’m not sure even they have the legal ability to do it. They (apparently) can’t do anything about enforcement of bus lanes and the bus gate because that’s a matter for AGS.

The only thing that’s really within their remit is traffic signalling and management but with the mess that ABP made of the plaza, they have to be very careful not to make some change that could be seen to be progressing with the plaza before they get approval from ABP because that would be illegal.

The last line of your post summed up the situation perfectly.

Jamie2k9

markpb wrote: »

The problem is the disparate way that decisions are made. There’s nothing that DCC staff can do about moving Dublin Bus routes because that’s up to the NTA. I’d imagine they wouldn’t be allowed to ban taxis because that would be a decision for the DCC councillors and I’m not sure even they have the legal ability to do it. They (apparently) can’t do anything about enforcement of bus lanes and the bus gate because that’s a matter for AGS.

The only thing that’s really within their remit is traffic signalling and management but with the mess that ABP made of the plaza, they have to be very careful not to make some change that could be seen to be progressing with the plaza before they get approval from ABP because that would be illegal.

The last line of your post summed up the situation perfectly.

I accept its not the easiest of things but I don't think they were vocal enough to the media, councilors and relevant bodies?

Yes the NTA made the bus decision but how much engagement did DCC have with them before? As for taxi's a vote should of taken place? Bus gate enforcement requires serious engagement with Guards and Transdev have been strong on this front.

They even messed up the traffic signalling to a degree but thankfully its largely sorted out now.

Anne Graham has just as much to answer around total inaction as well, prehaps deal with issues instead of posing for a photo on December 9th.

LeinsterDub

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2018/0226/943672-taxis-college-green-dublin/

A ban on taxis in College Green during the early morning peak is being planned to reduce congestion in the area.

The ban on taxis driving southbound in front of Trinity Collge Dublin between 7am and 10am is due to start on 12 March.

The thin end of the wedge?

AlmightyCushion

LeinsterDub wrote: »

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2018/0226/943672-taxis-college-green-dublin/




The thin end of the wedge?

Is there going to be any one enforcing it? Because unless there is I can see a lot of taxi drivers using college green any way.

Jamie2k9

So 3 months to late, but look it shows when all communicate they can make changes and now move to a full ban. According to the journal around 150 taxi's on average are using the route in the morning.

LeinsterDub

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

So 3 months to late, but look it shows when all communicate they can make changes and now move to a full ban. According to the journal around 150 taxi's on average are using the route in the morning.

Is that per hour or what time frame. Seems very low

BowSideChamp

LeinsterDub wrote: »

Is that per hour or what time frame. Seems very low

The below report says per day there is 8k taxis Southbound & 10k Northbound. If you exclude midnight to 6am it's 6k & 7.5k. That is an average of 333/hr Northbound and 416/hr Southbound.

https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content/Planning/Documents/CollegeGreenConsultationDocument.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjWjsD8psTZAhVqL8AKHTI-B6sQFjAAegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw1wpKZKSZ09XqhAvaJUolOr

They should be told to **** off. Amazing that bus passengers and pedestrians are being treated like 2nd class commuters compared to taxis.

orangerhyme

LeinsterDub wrote: »

Is that per hour or what time frame. Seems very low

It says 150 per hour

marno21

Shane Ross wrote:

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area, GDA, including the light rail network.

I have been advised by the NTA that passenger numbers on the Luas green line have increased by over 24% since the commencement of Luas cross city last December. While it is welcomed that so many new customers are using the extended green line, it has meant that, at certain times of the day, some trams are operating at capacity. The Luas cross city project included the purchase of seven additional new trams which, at 55 m length, have a higher passenger capacity than existing trams, carrying up to 379 passengers per tram and increasing overall capacity on the green line. Two of these additional trams very recently came into service. Another is currently in Ireland undergoing final testing and commissioning and is expected to go into passenger service at the start of March. The remaining four trams, following the necessary final testing and commissioning, will be put into service progressively over the following ten weeks. Once all seven new trams are fully deployed they, together with the existing fleet, will provide additional passenger capacity on the green line in the short-term.

The NTA has also advised of planned changes to the Luas green line timetable in May to improve the frequency of service between Broombridge and Brides Glen, particularly in the morning and evening peak periods on the green and red lines.

Into the future, passenger numbers are expected to increase further on the green Line over the next few years, and the green line capacity enhancement project - which was recently approved by Government - is the next step in the medium term to further expand capacity, especially at peak hours, so as to cater for future demands along the line. The project features in the NTA’s published GDA Strategy. It involves the lengthening of the 26 existing green line trams from 43 m to 55 m and the purchase of a further 8 new 55 metre-long trams which will greatly increase the passenger capacity of the fleet to meet future passenger demand. The capacity increases at peak periods which will be provided by the project will assist in reducing crowding on the green line and enhance accessibility for mobility and sensory impaired users during these periods. A necessary complementary investment project, known as the green line infrastructure upgrade - an investment project to lengthen the platforms at the existing green line stations - was completed towards the end of last year and enables the use of the new, longer trams.

Shane Ross asked why the longer trams & platforms weren't introduced in sync with LCC.

marno21

Shane Ross wrote:

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area, GDA, including the light rail network.

I have been advised by the NTA that passenger numbers on the Luas green line have increased by over 24% since the commencement of Luas cross city last December. While it is welcomed that so many new customers are using the extended green line, it has meant that, at certain times of the day, some trams are operating at capacity. The Luas cross city project included the purchase of seven additional new trams which, at 55 m length, have a higher passenger capacity than existing trams, carrying up to 379 passengers per tram and increasing overall capacity on the green line. Two of these additional trams very recently came into service. Another is currently in Ireland undergoing final testing and commissioning and is expected to go into passenger service at the start of March. The remaining four trams, following the necessary final testing and commissioning, will be put into service progressively over the following ten weeks. Once all seven new trams are fully deployed they, together with the existing fleet, will provide additional passenger capacity on the green line in the short-term.

The NTA has also advised of planned changes to the Luas green line timetable in May to improve the frequency of service between Broombridge and Brides Glen, particularly in the morning and evening peak periods on the green and red lines.

Into the future, passenger numbers are expected to increase further on the green Line over the next few years, and the green line capacity enhancement project - which was recently approved by Government - is the next step in the medium term to further expand capacity, especially at peak hours, so as to cater for future demands along the line. The project features in the NTA’s published GDA Strategy. It involves the lengthening of the 26 existing green line trams from 43 m to 55 m and the purchase of a further 8 new 55 metre-long trams which will greatly increase the passenger capacity of the fleet to meet future passenger demand. The capacity increases at peak periods which will be provided by the project will assist in reducing crowding on the green line and enhance accessibility for mobility and sensory impaired users during these periods. A necessary complementary investment project, known as the green line infrastructure upgrade - an investment project to lengthen the platforms at the existing green line stations - was completed towards the end of last year and enables the use of the new, longer trams.

Shane Ross asked why the longer trams & platforms weren't introduced in sync with LCC.

Bits_n_Bobs

marno21 wrote: »

Shane Ross asked why the longer trams & platforms weren't introduced in sync with LCC.

He doesn't actually answer the question...

AngryLips

I’m beginning to wonder when they will extend the trams on the red line. City centre section is packed at all times now

Jamie2k9

AngryLips wrote: »

I’m beginning to wonder when they will extend the trams on the red line. City centre section is packed at all times now

It won't happen because the infrastructure can't really take it and would reduce overall capacity.

AngryLips

That doesn’t really make any sense