Buses must be allowed return to Dublin's College Green once Luas Cross City works have been completed, Dublin Bus has said.
Almost 20 bus routes – some of the company’s busiest commuter services, have been diverted from the area to allow for the construction of the new Luas line.
Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan has raised doubts about whether buses will be able to access College Green travelling from Dawson Street and Nassau Street, once the Luas line becomes operational.
The council was “under pressure” to allow buses back through College Green once the track laying works were completed, he said, but he said this may not be possible in the case of buses turning left from Dawson Street.
“Even if we were to allow them [buses], it’s not clear that they can turn left with the Luas at the bottom of Dawson Street. Even turning right might be an issue.”
A possible solution would be for buses to run from Molesworth Street and around the back of Trinity, a far longer route across the city and “not an attractive option”, Mr Keegan admitted.
However Dublin Bus said the route was “crucial” and the current “unsuitable” diversions could not be retained once Luas construction was finished.
“This is a strategic corridor not only for the new Luas Cross City line but for public transport. Dublin Bus is the largest public transport provider in the country... and it’s crucial therefore that our customers are accommodated on what is the quickest route through the city centre,” a statement from the company said.
“Dublin Bus is currently working with Dublin City Council to ensure that bus routes which have been diverted to unsuitable alignments to facilitate Luas Cross City works are reinstated after construction.”
Mr Keegan said a decision had not yet been made on Dublin Bus routes through College Green, and that there was no issue with buses on Dame Street. “All current bus movements through College Green are being examined to see if additional bus traffic can be accommodated and what changes would be required to facilitate this,” he said.
“We support the idea of Luas Cross City but we’re now trying to deal with all the implications of that. But overall I think it is a price worth paying.”
