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

Middle Man

Are all the cars and bikes banned from College Green yet??? They've no business there, especially with the longer trams coming on stream - it's the laws of physics - neither a car nor bike can win an argument with a tram.

Beta Ray Bill

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Saw a longer tram in passenger service this evening.

I've been keeping an eye out for one with passengers since last week.

Haven't seen any!

Read this, thismorning.
'The pain will continue' - College Green traffic restrictions to go on into 2019

Restrictions on 100 buses travelling through College Green in Dublin are set to continue into next year.

Taxis are also banned from travelling southbound during rush hour, in a bid to cope with the gridlock since the Luas extension opened.

Dublin City Council has warned the measures are likely to stay in place until 2019 because oral hearings on the planned pedestrianisation of College Green went on for longer than expected.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Councillor Ciaran Cuffe, says only radical action will ease the congestion.

Mr Cuffe said: "I think we were let down by the traffic modelling which didn't show us how severe this issue would be.

"The pain will continue until we do something dramatic in the city centre and you just can't get all those cars, buses and trams into the one space."

Managed to walk from College Green to Harcourt St faster than the Luas this morning, despite the fact the Luas had a head start. (New Record for me! )

tom1ie

Middle Man wrote: »

Are all the cars and bikes banned from College Green yet??? They've no business there, especially with the longer trams coming on stream - it's the laws of physics - neither a car nor bike can win an argument with a tram.

Cars should be banned. Bicycles should not. Bicycles will be an excellent form of transport for getting around the cc once cars are taken out of the equation.

Middle Man

tom1ie wrote: »

Cars should be banned. Bicycles should not. Bicycles will be an excellent form of transport for getting around the cc once cars are taken out of the equation.

If bikes are to be considered road vehicles, then they must follow the same rules as road vehicles. A pedestrian plaza is a pedestrian plaza! Both motorists and cyclists need to cop themselves on as there'll be no road in College Green other than the North/South public transport corridor (Luas and Bus - the latter kept to the minimum)! Motorists can go around the plaza area via alternative streets and cyclists can dismount and walk their bikes across - why do motorists and cyclists think they have a God given right in city centres???

Jamie2k9

I've been keeping an eye out for one with passengers since last week.

Haven't seen any!

Saw it again today, appears 5029 (the only long one) not to have failed. It operating to SSG at around 17.50 (last week) and it was GPO at 18.00 today so its either departing Sandyford at around 17.15 or Brides Glen at around 16.45 or so.

CramCycle

Middle Man wrote: »

If bikes are to be considered road vehicles, then they must follow the same rules as road vehicles. A pedestrian plaza is a pedestrian plaza! Both motorists and cyclists need to cop themselves on as there'll be no road in College Green other than the North/South public transport corridor (Luas and Bus - the latter kept to the minimum)! Motorists can go around the plaza area via alternative streets and cyclists can dismount and walk their bikes across - why do motorists and cyclists think they have a God given right in city centres???

I wouldn't like bikes going across the pedestrian plaza either. Unlike some other countries, we haven't learned mutual respect for each other yet. No reason why they couldn't use the Luas route considering the speed restrictions.

Ben D Bus

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Saw it again today, appears 5029 (the only long one) not to have failed. It operating to SSG at around 17.50 (last week) and it was GPO at 18.00 today so its either departing Sandyford at around 17.15 or Brides Glen at around 16.45 or so.

I watched from a 40 bus as it crossed the Rosie Hackett and then again as it made a brief stop on the way from Hawkins St to Trinity. There was very little traffic around CG at that time this evening!

CramCycle

Ben D Bus wrote: »

I watched from a 40 bus as it crossed the Rosie Hackett and then again as it made a brief stop on the way from Hawkins St to Trinity. There was very little traffic around CG at that time this evening!

Would it be easier on the motor if it doesn't have to slow as much to accomodate traffic?

Rulmeq

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Saw it again today, appears 5029 (the only long one) not to have failed. It operating to SSG at around 17.50 (last week) and it was GPO at 18.00 today so its either departing Sandyford at around 17.15 or Brides Glen at around 16.45 or so.

Saw 5029 in Brides Glen Monday morning around 8:30

threein99

Middle Man wrote: »

If bikes are to be considered road vehicles, then they must follow the same rules as road vehicles. A pedestrian plaza is a pedestrian plaza! Both motorists and cyclists need to cop themselves on as there'll be no road in College Green other than the North/South public transport corridor (Luas and Bus - the latter kept to the minimum)! Motorists can go around the plaza area via alternative streets and cyclists can dismount and walk their bikes across - why do motorists and cyclists think they have a God given right in city centres???

I'm sensing a dislike of people on bikes

vrusinov

As a person on a bike, I'm trying to avoid city like a plague. College Green is not a nice place for cyclists, never was and never going to be.

Give me nice alternative route around the city and some amsterdam-style parking for when my destination is in city, and I won't set my wheel on CG.

cgcsb

It was my understanding there's to be a dedicated 2 way east-west cycle lane through cg?

tom1ie

Middle Man wrote: »

If bikes are to be considered road vehicles, then they must follow the same rules as road vehicles. A pedestrian plaza is a pedestrian plaza! Both motorists and cyclists need to cop themselves on as there'll be no road in College Green other than the North/South public transport corridor (Luas and Bus - the latter kept to the minimum)! Motorists can go around the plaza area via alternative streets and cyclists can dismount and walk their bikes across - why do motorists and cyclists think they have a God given right in city centres???

Because cyclists have every right to be in the city centre. There is no other transport solution that can get you around the cc in a short space of time comparable with a bicycle. Cars are too intrusive, polluting, and cause too much traffic. Walking will get you from a to b and keep you fit, but the average walking pace is what 6kmh? Cycling can get you anywhere within the cc within a short space of time without polluting, causing traffic, or being intrusive- once cars are taken out of the equation.
The solution is get public transport (busses, Luas, metro) into cc. Get off at the the pt stops. Hop on a bicycle, cycle to your place of work if it’s more than a 5 minute walk.
In the evening Bring your bike back to public bicycle station, which is located at pt stop for Luas, metro, bus and go home.

Save your car for the trip to the beach at the weekend.

Sam Russell

Mod: @ Middle Man
Please desist from anti-cycle rants. If you continue, you will get a long ban. You have been warned on this and other threads, so take heed or face the consequences.

Zebra3

Middle Man wrote: »

If bikes are to be considered road vehicles, then they must follow the same rules as road vehicles.

Why would bikes be considered road vehicles?

Who would be that stupid to propose something like that?

Ben D Bus

South quays closed due to rta. CG car ban lifted. Pandemonium in town. Sat on a stationary bus on O'Connell bridge. Have to assume Luas in chaos too.

cgcsb

Ben D Bus wrote: »

South quays closed due to rta. CG car ban lifted. Pandemonium in town. Sat on a stationary bus on O'Connell bridge. Have to assume Luas in chaos too.

Why is the solution to a car road accident to open a bus corridor to cars?

veryangryman

cgcsb wrote: »

Why is the solution to a car road accident to open a bus corridor to cars?

I guess that the route around the bus corridoor was blocked by the accident?

BonnieSituation

That accident yesterday (thankfully not as bad as it could have been) should serve as a reminder why we need rail and we need to go underground. No RTA should bring a whole city to a standstill. And yet in Dublin it invariably does.

cgcsb

veryangryman wrote: »

I guess that the route around the bus corridoor was blocked by the accident?

So private cars will be delayed, why transfer that delay to bus passengers who are using a more efficient mode?

Jamie2k9

5027 is also back. Not seen but suspect 5028 is probably back as well.

veryangryman

cgcsb wrote: »

So private cars will be delayed, why transfer that delay to bus passengers who are using a more efficient mode?

I think that the gridlock included cars already around the area, which by extension were holding the buses up. You have to let them move somewhere.

Pedestrianisation and all that is something i'm more than 100% behind in central areas. There should be possibility to drive to somewhere nearish though.

marno21

It makes sense to pedestrianise the core and work outwards. If you have cars beyond a certain point you run the risk of events like yesterday where cars have to be let into bus/pedestrian areas because the car friendly routes are blocked.

Drifter50

Jamie2K9, you`re spot on, saw 5028 on a revenue earning service between Kilmacud and Stillorgan this evening. Guess the 3 X 9 piece units have all been re-introduced

Drifter50

Seems the 9 piece sets are being introduced quietly. Saw 5030 on a revenue earning service in Sandyford and 5032 on the rear sidings at Brewery Road today. That makes 5027, 5028, 5030 and 5032 all operating as 9 piece sets. Anyone see 5029?

Dats me

I thought they'd be only at peak times but I was on 5030 around 9 o'clock last week

Jamie2k9

Drifter50 wrote: »

Seems the 9 piece sets are being introduced quietly. Saw 5030 on a revenue earning service in Sandyford and 5032 on the rear sidings at Brewery Road today. That makes 5027, 5028, 5030 and 5032 all operating as 9 piece sets. Anyone see 5029?

5029 in service as discussed a page back.

I thought they'd be only at peak times but I was on 5030 around 9 o'clock last week

At the start it was but what will happen now is trains will complete a set roster so a long tram may come into service from 16.00 until close of business etc as the number grow.

Jamie2k9

The know sequence is Road/G Luas, Red Luas then pedestrians and if the Red Luas dons't arrive at the right time its Road/G Luas, pedestrians, Road/G Luas, Red Luas.

Tonight I observed Road/G Luas, Red Luas, Road/G Luas (immediate change once Luas passed), pedestrians.

The G Luas got held on O'Connell Bridge and missed the O'Connell Junction Green lights.

Its good to see TII have gotten more control over the junction from DCC. The latest sequence probally saved just over 1 minute and major traffic backlogs.

Its also ridiculous that pedestrians cannot cross the end of Daime St at C Green when the Luas is passing TCD. Its costing more less traffic a minute extra. They allow pedestrians cross at other junctions when the Luas is going through the same junction.

Ben D Bus

I've just realised I'm on 5027 at the moment! You really notice how long it is as it sweeps around Trinity and straightens up again. #tramnerd

karma_coma

Ben D Bus wrote: »

I've just realised I'm on 5027 at the moment! You really notice how long it is as it sweeps around Trinity and straightens up again. #tramnerd

So long a 'Ben D Bus' can fit on it

Chivito550

Second morning in a row with a signaling fault on green line. Yesterday was 15-20 minute delay. This is pathetic.

Dardania

Chivito550 wrote: »

Second morning in a row with a signaling fault on green line. Yesterday was 15-20 minute delay. This is pathetic.

Funny thing, about 10ish last night I saw a tram southbound with no internal lights on, hazards flashing, and moving slower than usual for the location. Maybe the first signs of it last night?

Jamie2k9

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

.

Its also ridiculous that pedestrians cannot cross the end of Daime St at C Green when the Luas is passing TCD. Its costing more less traffic a minute extra. They allow pedestrians cross at other junctions when the Luas is going through the same junction.

They are now allowing pedestrians to cross when trams are going through.

CatInABox

A couple of articles in the Independent today, both around the traffic problems in Dublin (and around the country). Talking about Luas Cross City, TII are saying that all trams on the Green Line will be extended to full length by the end of next year. Travel times through College Green are down by three to four minutes since opening. Bus journeys, however, are up from 10 minute pre cross city, to 23 minutes post cross city.

See here (Bus journey times double in Dublin congestion), and here (The new commuter hour: peak times increase with record traffic volumes).

EDIT: I should note that one of the articles is pretty poor, seems like they copy and pasted some of it from an earlier article, and didn't update the dates; i.e. talking about March being in the future.

LXFlyer

CatInABox wrote: »

A couple of articles in the Independent today, both around the traffic problems in Dublin (and around the country). Talking about Luas Cross City, TII are saying that all trams on the Green Line will be extended to full length by the end of next year. Travel times through College Green are down by three to four minutes since opening. Bus journeys, however, are up from 10 minute pre cross city, to 23 minutes post cross city.

See here (Bus journey times double in Dublin congestion), and here (The new commuter hour: peak times increase with record traffic volumes).

EDIT: I should note that one of the articles is pretty poor, seems like they copy and pasted some of it from an earlier article, and didn't update the dates; i.e. talking about March being in the future.

There is only one new article - the one about bus journey times is from February.

CatInABox

LXFlyer wrote: »

There is only one new article - the one about bus journey times is from February.

Yeah, they'd screwed up the date on it so it was at the top when I looked at it. Ah well.

Idbatterim

do they still have the ridiculously low speed limit of 10kmph past college green and surely if pedestrians could cross north - south at the same time as the luas, it would save time?

Jamie2k9

Idbatterim wrote: »

do they still have the ridiculously low speed limit of 10kmph past college green and surely if pedestrians could cross north - south at the same time as the luas, it would save time?

Think so but times are down 3-4 minutes I was reading yesterday somewhere.

New timetable next month, not sure if its gone live on the TFI app or anything for both lines and final 2 trams in by end of month.

Idbatterim

Idbatterim wrote: »

do they still have the ridiculously low speed limit of 10kmph past college green and surely if pedestrians could cross north - south at the same time as the luas, it would save time?

Just back from Amsterdam and one thing that stuck me is the speed their trams move through built up areas compared to the Luas at Trinity and navigating Charlemont / Harcourt.

Dardania

ronoc wrote: »

Idbatterim wrote: »

do they still have the ridiculously low speed limit of 10kmph past college green and surely if pedestrians could cross north - south at the same time as the luas, it would save time?

Just back from Amsterdam and one thing that stuck me is the speed their trams move through built up areas compared to the Luas at Trinity and navigating Charlemont / Harcourt.

Oh yes - I nearly got a smack of a tram there about 10 years ago

Drifter50

There seems to be still a long hold up on College Green. I was watching the Leinster R92 game last Saturday evening in Chaplins on Hawkins Street in the window seat and every Luas has to stop for a while to await a Go signal to head onto College Green.

devnull

I was on a tram yesterday afternoon which had to suddenly stop by breaking very hard so people fell over in the tram in the same area due to a taxi driver making a last minute swerve across the top of O'Connell Street when it clearly was not safe to do so.

Jamie2k9

Drifter50 wrote: »

There seems to be still a long hold up on College Green. I was watching the Leinster R92 game last Saturday evening in Chaplins on Hawkins Street in the window seat and every Luas has to stop for a while to await a Go signal to head onto College Green.

I think the aim is to clear trams through CG when they get clearance, it would be all most impossible to give them a full green before until after CG because of frequency or trams and other traffic.

do they still have the ridiculously low speed limit of 10kmph past college green and surely if pedestrians could cross north - south at the same time as the luas, it would save time?

Saw 20 sign earlier.

ArmaniJeanss

I notice at the turn from Nassau St to Grafton St that all the flexi barriers in the centre of the road have been destroyed, so traffic is starting to go too wide on the turn.
Anyone know who should be contacted re this?

u140acro3xs7dm

Just wondering what the journey times are like and how crowded the LUAS is between Sandyford and Dawson Street these days? I will be travelling normal peak times.

Jamie2k9

Spencer Polite Pasteboard wrote: »

Just wondering what the journey times are like and how crowded the LUAS is between Sandyford and Dawson Street these days? I will be travelling normal peak times.

Its much better now, and journey times are improved, prob only a minute between SSG and Dawson st.

Chivito550

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Its much better now, and journey times are improved, prob only a minute between SSG and Dawson st.

I get it every day to Dawson, and it’s more like 2-3 minutes from SSG to Dawson. It’s usually fine, but sometimes you get traffic on Dawson and it can take 4-5 minutes. Everything is fine usually to Dawson though. But this morning I was going further, and the section from Dawson to Westmoreland is a disgrace. Full of taxis sitting on the tracks and the LUAS stuck in traffic. It took 7 minutes to cover this one stop.

tom1ie

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Its much better now, and journey times are improved, prob only a minute between SSG and Dawson st.

How come journey times have improved? Do you know what measures they’ve put in place now or is it just less traffic on the roads? Thanks!

Jamie2k9

Just took it again through college green, all I can say is clearly somebody has completely reset all traffic signals to what was in place on day 1!!

Held by Western (no traffic), OC Bridge, pedestrians no longer allowed to cross Daime st, Abbey junction changed all the usual problems.

Traffic was light enough but somebody needs to explain why they have made the latest mess.

handlemaster

devnull wrote: »

I was on a tram yesterday afternoon which had to suddenly stop by breaking very hard so people fell over in the tram in the same area due to a taxi driver making a last minute swerve across the top of O'Connell Street when it clearly was not safe to do so.

Video from the tram im sure could be given to Gardai if required