Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Swiftway - Dublin's first bus rapid transit route - detailed plans released

123457»

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    lxflyer wrote: »
    There are already full agreements in place between management and unions at Dublin Bus for 24 hour working, but let's not get that in the way of a rant.

    I said grumbles, I am aware they can be rostered 24 hours, putting that into practice may cause problems though. Even tendering of routes caused a strike sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    cgcsb wrote: »
    I said grumbles, I am aware they can be rostered 24 hours, putting that into practice may cause problems though. Even tendering of routes caused a strike sure.

    At the risk of repeating myself, there is full agreement in place already, and has been for some time, for 24 hour working of normal routes.

    The route tendering issue was far more complex - it was dealing with pensions, and security of employment.

    I suspect that you will find the unions quite happy for the buses to have their hours extended as it means more work for their members, particularly if DB were to lose any of routes out to tender.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    Given that this drive is apparently about increasing bus efficiency and decreasing dwell time is not perhaps wise to look at doing something that seems a bit mad at first:

    Have the NTA bring back the bus conductor

    Sure there's the cost of the NTA having to hire conductors and the certainty that DB unions will go on strike (because: change? no change!) but it would absolutely decimate dwell times far more effectively than all these structural changes. There's no reason conductors cant operate the ticketing system currently in place efficiently and securely. You'd also have the benefit of increased security/civil behaviour on buses and the NTA will have eyes on the ground keeping a check on dublin bus and their shenanigans

    Probably cheaper than this plan to get a few swords TDs re-elected too


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,008 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Bambi wrote: »
    Have the NTA bring back the bus conductor

    Sure there's the cost of the NTA having to hire conductors and the certainty that DB unions will go on strike (because: change? no change!) but it would absolutely decimate dwell times far more effectively than all these structural changes. There's no reason conductors cant operate the ticketing system currently in place efficiently and securely. You'd also have the benefit of increased security/civil behaviour on buses and the NTA will have eyes on the ground keeping a check on dublin bus and their shenanigans

    And who is going to pay for all that extra staff?

    Answer: You and I

    And what an incredible waste of money it would be when the same effect can be accomplished and much less cost by:

    - Actually using both doors consistently at all stops, enter through the front door, exit through the rear.
    - Introduce a flat fare, no need to interact with the driver just tag-on
    - Work towards eliminating cash fares (with a high flat cash fare versus the leap fare).

    However all of that will be completely unnecessary on Swiftway as it will operate more like Luas. Multiple doors, enter and exit through all doors and off bus ticketing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,219 ✭✭✭Calina


    bk wrote: »
    - Introduce a flat fare, no need to interact with the driver just tag-on
    - Work towards eliminating cash fares (with a high flat cash fare versus the leap fare).

    I would agree with this. Far too many regular bus users need to interact with the driver because there isn't a flat fare. Not only that, I've calculated it is not worth my while on the basis of 2 bus trips a day to get either a monthly commuter or a 30 day rambler. For the most of the city, I think the stage system is outmoded and counter productive. If they aren't going to make the monthly commuter tickets seriously attractive then make the fares flat and reduce the numbers of people who have to interact with the driver.

    Secondly, some bus stops are too close together.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    While the finances of the operating companies remain in the state that they are, I would see that the process of simplifying the fares structure will continue, but in such a way not to risk a sudden jolt to their finances.

    A flat fare is not going to happen overnight, simply because it would risk a major change in revenues. I think that it may certainly happen in due course, but not in the immediate future.

    Cash fares have been consistently raised at a higher annual percentage each year than LEAP fares and I'd imagine that would continue.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,008 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    lxflyer wrote: »
    While the finances of the operating companies remain in the state that they are, I would see that the process of simplifying the fares structure will continue, but in such a way not to risk a sudden jolt to their finances.

    A flat fare is not going to happen overnight, simply because it would risk a major change in revenues. I think that it may certainly happen in due course, but not in the immediate future.

    Haha, I knew you were going to respond with this, because you say the exact same thing every time I raise the idea of flat fares!

    Surely the NTA now has a massive amount of data on fares from Leap and the ticket machines and it should be relatively straight forward to use that data to model what the flat fare should be set too in order to be revenue neutral. It really isn't rocket science.

    They can always increase (or decrease) the flat fares if they find revenue is suffering.

    You also ignore the point that by making the fare structure simpler to understand and by speeding up boarding times (and thus journey times) it creates a more attractive bus service, which in turn is likely to attract more customers.

    BTW DB made a 11.5 million profit last year! and is expected to increase a lot over the next few years thanks to increases in passenger numbers. So now seems to be the perfect time to introduce this change when they are already profitable and growing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    bk wrote: »
    Haha, I knew you were going to respond with this, because you say the exact same thing every time I raise the idea of flat fares!

    Surely the NTA now has a massive amount of data on fares from Leap and the ticket machines and it should be relatively straight forward to use that data to model what the flat fare should be set too in order to be revenue neutral. It really isn't rocket science.

    They can always increase (or decrease) the flat fares if they find revenue is suffering.

    You also ignore the point that by making the fare structure simpler to understand and by speeding up boarding times (and thus journey times) it creates a more attractive bus service, which in turn is likely to attract more customers.

    BTW DB made a 11.5 million profit last year! and is expected to increase a lot over the next few years thanks to increases in passenger numbers. So now seems to be the perfect time to introduce this change when they are already profitable and growing.

    I keep on saying it, because the country's finances and the company's finances are still in a mess.

    We are not dealing with "normal" businesses here. We are dealing with essential public services. As such the people responsible for them (be it at company or NTA level) are not going to take unnecessary risks.

    The NTA also have made clear that any changes to fares structures would be over a period of years to avoid any "shocks" to the system, either to the operating companies revenues, or to the users in terms of changes to fares.

    And I have to say that your analysis of DB's finances is seriously flawed. DB may have made a profit in 2014, but there are still €40m of accumulated losses from previous years on their balance sheet that need to be clawed back.

    The company still has a qualified audit report because their net assets are not more than half the amount of their called up share capital. The company has net current liabilities. You don't just look at one year and say, "oh we're making profits again, we can do what we like". You have to look at the bigger financial picture. There is a long way to go before DB is back in good health.

    The NTA have committed to a formal annual fares review process, which allows for the companies to make their case, and the NTA to review it and make a determination. I cannot see that anyone involved in that process would want to have it extended to potentially multiple fare changes if the flat fare impacted badly on the company's finances.

    No more than anyone else, I'd like to see the fares simplified, but in doing that you cannot ignore the financial position that DB is in, and that is still not good. The reality is that we will continue to see simplification of fares, but not overnight.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    bk wrote: »
    And who is going to pay for all that extra staff?

    Answer: You and I

    And what an incredible waste of money it would be when the same effect can be accomplished and much less cost by:

    - Actually using both doors consistently at all stops, enter through the front door, exit through the rear.
    - Introduce a flat fare, no need to interact with the driver just tag-on
    - Work towards eliminating cash fares (with a high flat cash fare versus the leap fare).

    However all of that will be completely unnecessary on Swiftway as it will operate more like Luas. Multiple doors, enter and exit through all doors and off bus ticketing.

    You and I are already paying a fortune for a single corridor from swords, which will be dug up again in a decade, tops. How much more would conductors across the city cost for that decade?

    The doors ideas is a nonsense and it always will be, half the fleet doesn't have two doors in the first place. Its an idea that dies every time it meets the real world because it only works on the drawing board. Swiftway is going to cost a fortune to put that system in and it will only be for a single corridor

    The flat fare does not exist, the cash fares do. You wont change that without putting automatic every paypoints at every bus stop, that won't be cheap.

    Neither will it stop people (i.e. tourists) asking the driver a million bloody questions as they get on. Nor will it stop the massive fare evasion that's going on.

    Neither will it make the buses more secure.

    But it will get a few TD's re-elected, hand a contract out to a lot of companies to build swiftway at twice the cost planned and the hornby brigade will have something to get excited about.

    You basically have to weigh the cost of employing conductors against the benefit that will bring the commuter

    Then weigh the cost of building swiftway on all routes, the disruption that building work will cause against the benefit it will bring the commuter

    Pretty sure swiftway ain't winning there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,219 ✭✭✭Calina


    Bambi wrote: »
    You and I are already paying a fortune for a single corridor from swords, which will be dug up again in a decade, tops. How much more would conductors across the city cost for that decade?

    Strictly speaking I don't see why we should need conductors and I am absolutely against the BRT corridor from Swords as nothing anyone has said has convinced me that Metro will be built as well if BRT goes ahead. That's based on Ireland's project management policy of yerrah it'll be grand.
    Bambi wrote: »
    The doors ideas is a nonsense and it always will be, half the fleet doesn't have two doors in the first place. Its an idea that dies every time it meets the real world because it only works on the drawing board. Swiftway is going to cost a fortune to put that system in and it will only be for a single corridor

    The doors are starting to be used. I think if they were systematically opened at stops, public habits would build.
    Bambi wrote: »
    The flat fare does not exist, the cash fares do. You wont change that without putting automatic every paypoints at every bus stop, that won't be cheap.

    The reason the flatfare doesn't exist is because people are convincing themselves it would be "too hard". In any case, at some locations, there are far too many bus stops. I have no idea what the metric for putting them in was in the area around me but in most European cities where I lived, there tend to be 800m between stops on the same route. Now, we can't do that because "we would have more people getting on the buses at a lower number of stops and the dwell time would go up" which it wouldn't if everyone didn't have to interact with the driver". So what we have now, yerrah it'll be grand.
    Bambi wrote: »
    Neither will it stop people (i.e. tourists) asking the driver a million bloody questions as they get on. Nor will it stop the massive fare evasion that's going on.

    I'd be interested to see figures for fare evasion in Dublin. Flat fares would do away with people underpaying their fares for one thing.
    Bambi wrote: »
    Neither will it make the buses more secure.

    No, we need transport police for that.
    Bambi wrote: »
    But it will get a few TD's re-elected, hand a contract out to a lot of companies to build swiftway at twice the cost planned and the hornby brigade will have something to get excited about.

    There is no need to be scathing about the hornby brigade. Swiftway should not be built, but antagonising transport nerds is not a good reason not to build it and quite frankly, I think a lot of them would be more interested in a metro.
    Bambi wrote: »
    You basically have to weigh the cost of employing conductors against the benefit that will bring the commuter

    I see none that couldn't be brought in other ways.
    Bambi wrote: »
    Then weigh the cost of building swiftway on all routes, the disruption that building work will cause against the benefit it will bring the commuter

    We are not and should not ever be considering building swiftway on all routes even if we do it on Swords. There seems to be some stupid idea in this country that we can look at each transport mode in isolation from the others.
    Bambi wrote: »
    Pretty sure swiftway ain't winning there.

    It wasn't to begin with because the perception that it is a delaying tactic to avoid building a railbased system.

    I've also seen arguments talking about the Drumcondra corridor. If anything, this is an argument in favour of putting a metro in from the city centre out to Whitehall or Glasnevin initially (because no doubt the route will change again). We don't need to build the whole lot of it in one go - it can be done in stages of getting the higher used sections built first. Sure it will cause disruption but frankly the city centre is near unnavigable at the moment anyway.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,762 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    The BRT route along the Rathbeale Road, past the Gaelscoil and Educate Together and along past applewood to the mainroad is awful in its concept, it makes dropping and picking kids up from school more dangerous, on a road thats width is inadequate already, and as I mentioned before it offers nothing more to resident of the area than existing services such as the Swords Express, if they insist on wasting money putting this in have it start at the Pavillions or on Swords mainstreet instead of making the roads around the housing estates which are thronged with kids more dangerous.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,008 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Bambi wrote: »
    You and I are already paying a fortune for a single corridor from swords, which will be dug up again in a decade, tops. How much more would conductors across the city cost for that decade?

    Nonsense, Swiftway isn't just about introducing multi-door buses, that is just one aspect of it. It is about introducing international modern bus operation best practices. Something Dublin Bus has failed at miserably till now.

    Anyway the vast majority of the cost of Swiftway is the significant rebuilding of the road network along the route, road widening, improved bus lanes, etc. All items that are badly needed and will also very much benefit Dublin Bus and all the other bus operators on the corridors.

    Swiftway is about a significant upgrade to our bus services in almost every way.
    Bambi wrote: »
    The doors ideas is a nonsense and it always will be, half the fleet doesn't have two doors in the first place. Its an idea that dies every time it meets the real world because it only works on the drawing board. Swiftway is going to cost a fortune to put that system in and it will only be for a single corridor

    Every bus bought over the last 3 years has dual doors and all new buses bought are required to have dual doors. Yes it will take a few more years, but eventually the fleet will be 100% dual door.
    Bambi wrote: »
    The flat fare does not exist, the cash fares do. You wont change that without putting automatic every paypoints at every bus stop, that won't be cheap.

    Huh? Why would you need to put paypoints at every stop?!!

    You clearly don't understand the idea.

    1) Make Leap a flat fare of about €2.10
    2) Make cash a flat fare of about €3.50 to €4

    Leap users have no interaction with drivers. Cash users will still interact with drivers, but there should even be time savings there as there would be a simplified fare. No need to specify destination, etc.

    The idea being to set the flat cash fare high enough that it encourages people to switch to Leap.

    After a few years, once most people have switched to Leap, then you don't take cash anymore.

    Non of this is rocket science, this is exactly what they did very successfully in London.

    No need for conductors to do this or even off bus ticket machines and way cheaper to implement.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    Silly question I'm sure - but when are these BRTs being built?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,235 ✭✭✭lucernarian


    Inquitus wrote: »
    The BRT route along the Rathbeale Road, past the Gaelscoil and Educate Together and along past applewood to the mainroad is awful in its concept, it makes dropping and picking kids up from school more dangerous, on a road thats width is inadequate already, and as I mentioned before it offers nothing more to resident of the area than existing services such as the Swords Express, if they insist on wasting money putting this in have it start at the Pavillions or on Swords mainstreet instead of making the roads around the housing estates which are thronged with kids more dangerous.
    Why are cars expected to be able to drive in and around schools when the kids often only have a 5 or 10 minute walk anyway? I'm not sure I like the route selection but going by the very strong opposition in Pine Grove Park and the other nearby estates, it won't be able to take the original suggested route. And Main Street is thronged with traffic, the BRT idea won't work if its speed is no better than the existing services.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,762 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    Why are cars expected to be able to drive in and around schools when the kids often only have a 5 or 10 minute walk anyway? I'm not sure I like the route selection but going by the very strong opposition in Pine Grove Park and the other nearby estates, it won't be able to take the original suggested route. And Main Street is thronged with traffic, the BRT idea won't work if its speed is no better than the existing services.

    Putting in the bus corridor will make it more dangerous for the kids to walk/cycle to school.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,235 ✭✭✭lucernarian


    Inquitus wrote: »
    Putting in the bus corridor will make it more dangerous for the kids to walk/cycle to school.
    How will it possibly make it more dangerous for them to walk? Especially compared to the situation right now on the Rathbeale road? I'd say the cars bringing kids the 10 minute walk home from St. Cronan's are more dangerous to kids walking home than the 41/b every 15 or 20 minutes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    Inquitus wrote: »
    Putting in the bus corridor will make it more dangerous for the kids to walk/cycle to school.

    Can I ask why?

    Kids cycle/walk to schools all over Dublin along roads that have frequent bus services, and they seem to do so without any major fuss?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Silly question I'm sure - but when are these BRTs being built?

    Why build them when they are already carrying out their intended function quite well? ;)

    For over 30 years I have read pile after pile after pile of complete horse manure from governments about the next big shiny transport plan for Dublin. This is another one. The country hasn't got the money, and even if it did the money can't be spent on Dublin's infrastructure without spending even more money on vanity projects for the benefit of TDs in the badlands and the boondocks.

    So instead we get shiny new plan after shiny new plan intended to divert our attention away from the failure of government agencies to actually get something done - and this is yet another shiny new plan.

    It will not happen, but at least while we're waiting for it not to happen we'll all have really interesting debates about the merits and downsides of the shiny new plan.

    Vapourware, that's all it is and that's all Dublin will get.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,762 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    lxflyer wrote: »
    Can I ask why?

    Kids cycle/walk to schools all over Dublin along roads that have frequent bus services, and they seem to do so without any major fuss?

    The proposed route turns into the new development where the old prefab school used to be and drives straight past the 2 schools, currently the road is a cul de sac with no traffic except for the school or the builders working on Millers Glen, so they are routing a high speed bus service right along what is currently a residential dead end street servicing nothing but the 2 schools.

    Apologies it seems they saw sense and have revised the route since I last looked to something alot less stupid


  • Registered Users Posts: 205 ✭✭mickmmc


    The Transport Capital projects are due to be announced before the end of July. We should know by then if BRT is one of the projects that will receive funding.

    My understanding is that time is running out on the DART Underground railway order and a decision will have to made on DU.

    According to the local press, Fingal County Council have appointed Consultants to develop a new Cultural Quarter at the end of Main Street/North Street. The options outlined were to pedestrianize Main St. or make it one way. The Consultants are still working on the plan. There may be no buses travelling on Main St. in the future.

    There is no mention of BRT as part of that plan for Main St.


  • Advertisement
  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    Why build them when they are already carrying out their intended function quite well?
    ;)

    As I suspected, there is no timeline? I don't, however agree with you that "there is no money".

    But that's a different debate.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,944 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    ;)

    As I suspected, there is no timeline? I don't, however agree with you that "there is no money".

    But that's a different debate.

    Not much point in building vehicles until the project has gone through the planning process, and received formal government approval.

    The next step is to make a formal planning application, along with full EIS and that's expected to happen later this year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,578 ✭✭✭Markcheese


    Why build them when they are already carrying out their intended function quite well? ;)

    For over 30 years I have read pile after pile after pile of complete horse manure from governments about the next big shiny transport plan for Dublin. This is another one. The country hasn't got the money, and even if it did the money can't be spent on Dublin's infrastructure without spending even more money on vanity projects for the benefit of TDs in the badlands and the boondocks.

    So instead we get shiny new plan after shiny new plan intended to divert our attention away from the failure of government agencies to actually get something done - and this is yet another shiny new plan.

    It will not happen, but at least while we're waiting for it not to happen we'll all have really interesting debates about the merits and downsides of the shiny new plan.

    Vapourware, that's all it is and that's all Dublin will get.

    So never build of plan anything ? No dart - no Luas ? I think a decent BRT system that can be rolled out for reasonable cost across Dublin is a great idea - it can be be further upgraded as demand requires .

    Slava ukraini 🇺🇦



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Markcheese wrote: »
    So never build of plan anything ? No dart - no Luas ? I think a decent BRT system that can be rolled out for reasonable cost across Dublin is a great idea - it can be be further upgraded as demand requires .

    It's only a good idea if the people promoting it - and those who are meant to fund it - are actually serious about getting it done rather than cat-farting about with political schemes and promises of pie in the sky.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    It's only a good idea if the people promoting it - and those who are meant to fund it - are actually serious about getting it done rather than cat-farting about with political schemes and promises of pie in the sky.

    Indeed. And this multiple BRT plan reeks of a stroke to take peoples minds off DU.


  • Registered Users Posts: 205 ✭✭mickmmc


    If the sale offer for Aer Lingus is accepted by the shareholders, the government will receive €335 million, which is earmarked for a 'connectivity fund'.

    The proceeds of the sale should be used for a light rail project to Swords and not spent on other transport projects around the Country.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    mickmmc wrote: »
    If the sale offer for Aer Lingus is accepted by the shareholders, the government will receive €335 million, which is earmarked for a 'connectivity fund'.

    The proceeds of the sale should be used for a light rail project to Swords and not spent on other transport projects around the Country.

    I've no doubt it'll go on pot hole filling and various rural broadband schemes instead in line with successive govt policy against people moving to towns in order to access better services/employment opportunities.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,476 ✭✭✭ardmacha


    cgcsb wrote: »
    I've no doubt it'll go on pot hole filling and various rural broadband schemes instead in line with successive govt policy against people moving to towns in order to access better services/employment opportunities.

    And rightly so, government should serve the people where they live, not pursue a Stalinist policy of reorganising them to suit the government.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    cgcsb wrote: »
    I've no doubt it'll go on pot hole filling and various rural broadband schemes instead in line with successive govt policy against people moving to towns in order to access better services/employment opportunities.

    If they'd use slightly more of the road and fuel taxes etc that they collect for vehicle owners there would be no need to raid the Aer Lingus proceeds for public transport.

    I believe most of it went to Irish Water in the past two years.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    ardmacha wrote: »
    And rightly so, government should serve the people where they live, not pursue a Stalinist policy of reorganising them to suit the government.

    Most people live in urban areas now and increasingly so. DART Underground could carry the population of entire counties in a single day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,905 ✭✭✭Aard


    As the primary sector declines in importance, populations urbanise. There is no agenda. Planning for *how* urbanisation happens saves untold headaches down the line.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,763 ✭✭✭AngryLips


    mickmmc wrote: »
    If the sale offer for Aer Lingus is accepted by the shareholders, the government will receive €335 million

    That nicely covers the roughly same figure we lent Greece


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭✭expectationlost


    Public Transport Bill 2015
    http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=29180&&CatID=59
    Section 1 relates to the public transport infrastructure functions of the National Transport Authority, NTA. The proposed amendments to the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 will ensure the NTA can develop and deliver public transport infrastructure such as bus rapid transit, BRT, in the event that it is decided to proceed with this project and others similar to it or other projects such as cycling schemes.

    https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2015-06-30a.395&s=%22penalty+points%22#g399
    address a constraint in the existing legislation which creates a
    differentiation between public roads existing before the establishment
    of the National Transport Authority (NTA) and public roads which
    were developed after the NTA was established and provide that
    the NTA would have equivalent vires to provide public transport
    infrastructure on public roads that were constructed either before or
    after the establishment date of the NTA

    amazing quirk


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,151 Mod ✭✭✭✭spacetweek


    Where are we with planning permission for the initial Swords-Centre Swiftway line?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    I think the whole project has evaporated into the ether along with 24 hour bus routes, metro north, dart underground etc. We'll end up getting nothing at all.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,344 ✭✭✭markpb


    I'm guessing we'll hear early next year that the review has finished and a paper will be sent to the minister soon.

    Shortly before the election, we'll be told that the minister will make a decision about the paper shortly.

    Right before the election, we'll be told that funds have been ringfenced and approval will be given imminently.

    Then the election will happen.

    After that, my magic 8 ball is unsure. Probably the whole thing will be sent back to the consultants because a) it's too expensive or b) it no longer meets the need of a growing Dublin/Swords depending on how the economy has behaved.

    Either way, dead as door nail because, by then, luas cross city will be nearly finished construction so we'll be inundated with news of its imminent opening (still a year away).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭AlekSmart


    spacetweek wrote: »
    Where are we with planning permission for the initial Swords-Centre Swiftway line?

    The current position regarding the Swords Swiftway appears to be one of ....em...indecision.

    The three options currently being assessed by the NTA are.....

    .Proceed with the current BRT scheme, modified at its northern end to be fully complementary to the new Metro North project;

    ·Develop a shortened version of the proposed BRT scheme, potentially Santry to City Centre; or

    ·Proceed with a more limited conventional bus corridor upgrade.

    It now appears that the Swords Swiftway assessment is to be carried out as an integral part of the Metro North project itself,rather than a stand-alone programme as originally proposed.

    Effectively,it ensures that NOTHING will be in place within the next 3 years at least,which,I suppose,is about par for the course in Irish Public Transport Infrastructure ?

    Meanwhile,the demand is very obviously already there,and most certainly not being met,so it begs the question as to what role the NTA itself can now be said to be fulfilling ?


    Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.

    Charles Mackay (1812-1889)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36 mightyz


    Is this project dead like many other 'too cheap' for Ireland?


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    It has gone to another review apparently, at this stage it's a joke.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,844 ✭✭✭Banjoxed


    devnull wrote: »
    It has gone to another review apparently, at this stage it's a joke.

    Propose, Design, Review, Rinse, Repeat.

    Do DoT civil servants get a bonus for every time since 1975 this has happened? Clearly the buggers must.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,946 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    No harm TBH... we don't need yet another half-assed approach to Dublin's transport needs which is what this is/was.

    Plus investment in Dublin isn't popular with the rural TDs and their voters - even though Dublin's economy is subsidising them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,219 ✭✭✭Calina


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    No harm TBH... we don't need yet another half-assed approach to Dublin's transport needs which is what this is/was.

    Plus investment in Dublin isn't popular with the rural TDs and their voters - even though Dublin's economy is subsidising them

    The issue - imo - is that Swiftway wasn't a good solution. If you look at the documentation for the first targetted route which was Swords inbound, they admitted it would already be inadequate in terms of matching requirements on the first day of operation.

    This one isn't really a case of rural TDs killing investment in Dublin - it's a question of this not being a really appropriate solution to needs.

    It's worth noting - while we're at it - that this weekend there are a couple of pieces floating around about the imbalance between Dublin and the rest of the country in terms of development. I think this constant dismissing of rural concerns in the face of the topheaviness of Dublin on the country is an oversimplification of this. Worth noting also that there are figures around suggesting that Cork is more productive.

    This needs a wider and mature discussion. Unfortunately comments like "the rural TDs always complain about investment in Dublin" are not wider nor mature.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    So it appears that this project has been done away with for once and for all now with bus connects.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,438 ✭✭✭Shedite27


    Stephen15 wrote: »
    So it appears that this project has been done away with for once and for all now with bus connects.
    It's part of Bus Connects project isn't it? Think they've just dropped the "Swiftway" brand and it all falls under BusConnects now
    https://www.busconnects.ie/initiatives/putting-the-rapid-into-bus/


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,687 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    Shedite27 wrote: »
    It's part of Bus Connects project isn't it? Think they've just dropped the "Swiftway" brand and it all falls under BusConnects now
    https://www.busconnects.ie/initiatives/putting-the-rapid-into-bus/

    Earlier in the week there was a talk at Engineers Ireland which gave an update on the project which stated that Swiftway as a unit of BusConnects was now pretty much dead, but the routes would be merged into the bus network review and some of the components of Swiftway would be used as part of the bus corridor review.

    See:
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106084223&postcount=1405
    &
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106084459&postcount=1407


Advertisement