Review of the Dublin Bus network to bring major customer benefits

• Network re-designed based on findings of a strategic and wide ranging review of the Dublin Bus network 
• The Network Direct project will give customers more direct, regular, frequent and reliable services with a network that is simpler and easier to understand

Today Dublin Bus announced that it will soon begin implementing Network Direct, a project that will deliver a better bus service for Dublin.  This project is the outcome of a review of the Dublin Bus network which is the most wide ranging in the history of the company and will bring significant benefits to customers.  The review, which has been underway since May 2009, has involved an intensive process of route examination, consultation and research of all routes and services in the Dublin Bus network. 

When fully implemented, Network Direct will provide a route network that is simpler and easier to understand, with more direct, regular, frequent and reliable services.  Benefits to customers will include:

• More direct routes - Bus routes will be straightened out with fewer diversions off Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs).  Buses will operate on the most direct routes from the suburbs to the city centre and to key areas of customer demand
• More regular, frequent services – There will be an increase in the number of routes with an average waiting time of just 5 minutes between services (i.e. a bus every 10 minutes or less during peak demand times)
• A simpler network – Some routes will be combined to simplify the network and to allow for more frequent services on these combined routes.  Timetables will also be more customer friendly and understandable with consistent even intervals between departures
• Increased and enhanced cross city and orbital connections – There will be more options for customers to travel across and around the city without having to change buses
• Improved reliability – More direct services operating on Quality Bus Corridors (QBC’s) will ensure reliable services with faster journey times.

The Network Direct project was undertaken to cater for the changes in travel patterns and demand due to the considerable population, residential and demographic changes that have occurred in Dublin, especially in recent years.  The project will also maximise the benefits provided by the significant enhancements in bus priorities across the city, particularly the College Green Bus Corridor and improvements to bus journey times due to less traffic congestion.  

As part of the review of its network, Dublin Bus carried out in-depth research and analysis into the current travel patterns of customers and customer experiences and expectations of their bus service.  Up to 1 million journeys to work, across all transport modes, were analysed in detail to establish the current travel demands and patterns.  This was done using the most up to date information available from Census 2006.  Dublin Bus, also analysed its own data, assessed almost half a million customer movements each day along with journey times across the entire city.

Dublin Bus also carried out significant amounts of independent customer research amongst bus users and non bus users.  A series of in-depth focus groups were held to obtain views and information from customers as to what exactly they want from their bus service. 

All of the customer research has shown that customers want:

• Faster and more direct routes into and around Dublin city 
• More high frequency services
• A simpler and easier to understand network
• More cross city services
• Real Time Passenger Information

The Network Direct project has implemented the principles and recommendations of the Deloitte Report (Cost and Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, 2009) and followed guidelines set out in the Governments policy document on Sustainable Travel.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has given approval in principle to the Network Direct project, and will be working closely now with Dublin Bus on the detail of the changes involved.

All of the key recommendations will now be implemented on a phased basis over the coming months with service changes (timetable and routing changes) occurring in most areas across Dublin.  Dublin Bus will shortly commence a communication process to inform customers of the changes and enhancements to their service.  An extensive marketing and advertising campaign will also take place to inform customers of changes.

The implementation of the recommendations of the Network Direct project will complement the introduction of Real Time Passenger Information later this year and the Dublin Bus website will also be enhanced so that customers can easily plan their journey on the redesigned network.

Taking into account the journey time savings achieved due to the significant enhancements in bus priority and the ease in traffic congestion, the project will enable Dublin Bus to become more efficient whilst still delivering service enhancements and catering for current travel demands.  This will allow Dublin Bus to operate a more effective and efficient service overall and deliver value for money for the customer and taxpayer.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Joe Meagher, Chief Executive, Dublin Bus stated:

“The review of the Dublin Bus network was undertaken so that all of our customers could benefit from more direct, regular, frequent and reliable services operating on a network that is simpler and easier to understand.

“We understand that change presents challenges. But it also presents us with a great opportunity – to re-design and modernise our network so that we can meet the needs of our customers, not only for today but also for the years ahead.”