Routes 80, 23 and 24 launched in October as part of Phase 7 of the BusConnects programme
Dublin Bus (stock)(Image: Sam Boal/Collins Photos)
Three Dublin Bus routes are changing from today in a bid to improve reliability.
Routes 80, 23 and 24 launched in October as part of Phase 7 of the BusConnects programme. The routes mainly run through Chapelizod and Finglas.
Following the launch, there were complaints regarding the frequency, reliability and capacity of services. After multiple protests were held in both Chapelizod and Finglas, the National Transport Authority announced that the routes would be amended.
The National Transport Authority said the three new routes “have experienced ongoing reliability issues, primarily due to high levels of traffic congestion on new city centre alignments, alongside wider driver availability constraints”. Routes 23 and 24 were operating via Bridge Street, High Street and Christchurch, where there has been “heavy and unpredictable traffic in recent months, with limited bus-priority measures”.
From today, both routes will now operate along the Quays crossing the River Liffey at O’Connell Bridge, before continuing past Trinity College to their existing terminus at Merrion Square. According to the National Transport Authority, this routing change is expected to significantly improve reliability while restoring direct access to the O’Connell Bridge area, previously served by Route 83.
Route 80 was operating between Liffey Valley and the south city, via Chapelizod, and through the city centre via the Quays, Bridge Street, High Street and South Great George’s Street. From today, Route 80 will operate on an interim basis along the existing Route 80 alignment as far as Bridge Street, then divert to continue along the Quays to O’Connell Bridge, College Green and Dame Street then onto South Great Georges Street to resume its current alignment to Palmerston Park.
At a later date but before the planned closure of Dame Street between College Green and South Great George’s Street, which is required to facilitate Dublin City Council ’s College Green Pedestrian Plaza scheme, the temporary rerouting will be removed. Once this happens, routes 80 and 130 will be brought together to form a single cross‑city service. The new combined route will operate along the north and south quays between Liffey Valley and Clontarf, providing a continuous link between Heuston Station O’Connell Bridge and the Custom House.
It is currently expected that the combined Route 80 and Route 130 service will be introduced in 2027. Director of Public Transport Services Jeremy Ryan said: “These amendments are a direct response to customer and community feedback and are aimed at improving reliability, resilience and connectivity across the network.
“We will continue to monitor the performance of these routes closely and make further adjustments where necessary to ensure passengers experience a more dependable service.”
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