If Metrolink was scrapped, what are the alternatives?

It's just an idea. It'll never happen.

The Luas is slow as **** in the city center so you're better off changing to Metro.

Interesting given the week we've just had, that one of the few international showcases for Dublin city (the Dublin Marathon) is under threat. Not sure how serious it really is, but lots of people are asking how do other city centres manage it. The answer is obviously with an underground public transport network. Even the single line of Metro link would take a lot of pressure off public transport on the one day a year widespread street closures are needed, and might even create scope for more public events on the city centre streets.

I see your point, but that land has good road access & proximity to M1 also.

So its far from worthless as residential development land, even if metrolink never sees the light of day.

Why would people on the Green Luas change at Charlemont to MetroLink, if they are going to Stephens Green/Dawson/Westmoreland?

Its only 4 or 5 mins to Dawson from Charlemont on the Luas, so it would take longer on Metrolink.

Same if you were heading to Merrion Square, in your example.

You would stay on the LUAS and be at Dawson in 5. Metrolink would be slower.

There is car capacity to a degree though. We cant not build houses because we dont have ML.

Otherwise we would barely build homes anywhere.

Build them with the plans for ML in mind, sure. But realistically, how long will it take for ML to be operational?

We shouldnt be waiting a decade plus to build homes so close to the city centre.

I’ve already run the times. All off peak so add another couple of mins on at heavy commute time.

6.5 mins to SSG

9.5 mins to Dawson

13.5 mins to Westmoreland St

I don’t expect people who normally go to SSG or Dawson to switch. Perhaps if someone is going east of Merrion Row they may feel it is natural to switch to save a perceived walk.

Westmoreland Street is trickier.

Switch from LUAS to Metro: 3 to 5 mins

Metro to SSG: 2 mins

Dwell time: 60 seconds

Metro to Tara Street: 2 mins

Station exit: 2 mins (LUAS is quicker)

So 10 to 12 mins.

That works out quicker. If going east of Westmoreland I would say Tara 100%. Lots of people who will head down to GCD too who might switch to the DART from there. If going to Trinity I would also say Tara as there is the new entrance there and it’s more accessible.

That said, the time benefit may not be viewed as so great to justify a switch for many. I would say peak times could be interesting though. You’d probably need a perceived benefit of 5 mins to justify it for many. I’d also say the opportunity to get off packed trams would be another one.

I can see people who normally getting on at Charlemount still opting for the Green Line if going to Harcourt Street (though they’re very close and given how packed the Green Line can be at commuter times I’m not sure why you’d put yourself through that to save a few mins) or beyond O’Connell Street. Doesn’t make a huge amount of sense to get on the Green otherwise.

This scenario thinking can be switched if you think of the northside Green Line. There’s probably going to be less incentive to switch overall because the station integration won’t be as good at O’Connell Street.

My overall point is that digging up the tracks in the city is a mental idea. They will still provide a utility to many normal Green Line users and it opens up other opportunities in the future

They arent planning to dig up the LUAS lines for ML are they?

No. Someone here suggested it.

Aye. Buses work if youre on a straight line to your destinaton and frequency is high.

If not, forget it.

Most of us forget it.

Was chatting to a young someone that commutes to TCD from South Dublin.

They get the bus, but once they pass their driving test, its car all the way.

🙄🙄