24-hour public transport system long overdue for Dublin – Higgins

Dublin needs an around the clock public transport service and the expansion of rail services is essential to making this happen, a Fine Gael Deputy has said.

Deputy Emer Higgins said: “It’s time to address the gap in late-night transportation options and remove the over-reliance on taxis.

“At present, only a restricted number of Dublin Bus routes operate 24 hours, leaving some commuters with no late-night alternatives.

“Unfortunately, the Luas, DART and trains do not provide services during these critical hours. This poses great difficulties for workers who may be unable to accept roles which necessitate late night or early morning shift work due to a lack of transport, as well as people who wish to socialise in the city late at night.

“There are portions of the public who avoid going out in the city because they worry about how they will get home. Many are loathe to take their car into the city due to traffic and parking restrictions, while the shortage and expense of taxis is also a consideration,” she explained.

“The success of 24-hour bus routes shows that there is a demand for public transport at night. Iarnród Éireann and Transdev need to give due consideration to expanding their Luas, DART and suburban rail services to run during the night.

“Aspects of the service could be pared back if required, such as making fewer stops – but the provision of a night time rail services would offer another essential option to people who need to travel to and from the city at off peak hours. Taxis cannot be the only option.

“Many of our city’s transport solutions will be provided for in the National Transport Authority’s plan to 2042, but we cannot wait that long to be able to travel efficiently and cheaply to and from our city throughout the day and night.

“I will be pursing this with Iarnród Éireann and Transdev to assess if a pilot expansion of rail services can be given consideration. Fine Gael is committed to creating safer streets and stronger communities and having a capital city where people can travel safely and seamlessly at any hour is central to that objective,” concluded Deputy Higgins.