HOLIDAY SEASON revellers and workers over the Christmas period will be discommoded by the temporary closure of part of the south Dublin Dart line.
As a number of transport companies including Luas, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann gear up for extended working hours over Christmas, Iarnród Éireann confirmed yesterday there would be no train service between Dún Laoghaire and Bray stations from December 27th, 2010, to January 3rd, 2011, inclusive.
Iarnród Éireann said the line was being closed to facilitate work on the concrete-slab track section between Dún Laoghaire and Sandycove. However, the work will necessitate the closure of Sandycove-Glasthule, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney, and Shankill stations.
Dart services will continue to operate between Bray and Greystones.
Northbound Dart services will operate between Dún Laoghaire and Howth or Malahide
Southbound Dart services will operate between Malahide or Howth and Dún Laoghaire.
Dublin Bus will honour rail tickets on routes 45A, 59 and 145.
The closure will also affect Intercity services between Dublin’s Connolly Station and Rosslare Europort. Bus transfers are to be put in place between Connolly and Bray, and Dún Laoghaire and Bray to connect with Bray to Rosslare Europort services.
Intending passengers have been asked to note replacement bus services on this route will depart from Dublin 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled times.
Iarnród Éireann said it apologised for the inconvenience caused but added the works were “essential”.
Tom Coffey of the Dublin Business Association said the move was “probably well timed”. He said most of the shopping trips to the city centre after Christmas Day would be by people bringing their cars and heading for the department store sales.
“There will be buses laid on and an excellent bus service runs out as far as Greystones, so we don’t think this will put shoppers off coming into the city,” he said.
Veolia has announced late-night Luas trams over the Christmas period. Night Luas will operate until 3am or 3.30am on selected dates this month.
Schedules for extended operating hours from Dublin Bus are expected to be announced over coming days. Bus Éireann said its Nightrider service to Meath, Kildare and Wicklow would be running over the holiday period.
