Sunday, August 11th, brought changes to Routes 27, 42A, 42B, 50, 56, 56A, 77, 77A and 104.

This phase of Network Direct affects many areas of Dublin and creates another cross city route with the 27. It also sees the end to some familiar route numbers in the city.

New Route 27 now operates as a high frequency service between Jobstown and Edenmore. Merging with Route 77, this service will be operated by both Ringsend and Clontarf depots. The new routing links Edenmore, Darndale, Malahide Road, Fairview, City Centre, Christchurch, Dolphins Barn, Walkinstown, and Tallaght.

Route 42A has been withdrawn, and replaced in part, by new Route 27A and revised Route 104.

Route 42B has been renumbered as 27A.

Route 50 has been withdrawn and replaced in Kilinarden and Citywest by Route 77A.

Route 56 no longer operates, with all services now running as Route 56A between Tallaght (The Square) and Ringsend Road.

Route 77 has merged with, and been renumbered, Route 27 (see above).

Route 77A has been extended to Citywest through Killinarden.

Route 104 now operates between Clontarf and Beaumont, serving Harmonstown, Edenmore, Clare Hall, Darndale and Beaumont Hospital. The route will now terminate at Maryfield Drive.

A rainy Sunday morning in Jobstown, as AX474 takes up duty as the first cross city Route 27 to Edenmore.

Ringsend’s AX488 pictured here arriving in Edenmore on new Route 27.

Clontarf’s AV39, wearing its new LED display, operates new Route 27A. Pictured here at the Blunden Drive terminus.

EV83 makes it’s way to the new 104 terminus on Maryfield Drive. Pictured here on Kilmore Road.

For more pictures, click on our main site Dublin Bus Transport

August 28th finally brought changes to the much talked about Network Direct phase affecting Routes 19 and 19A.

Route 19 has now been replaced on the south side by Routes 68, 68A and 122. The north side section is now covered by a revised Route 83.

Route 19A has been renumbered as Route 9, the south side section remains unchanged, but on the north side, the route now covers Beneavin Road in both directions and has been extended to Charlestown. 

Route 83 has now become a low floor route. The previously RV operated service is now fully served by EV and VG class vehicles. The north side section has been rerouted to serve part of Tolka Estate, the full length of Glasanaon Road, Grove Road/Grove Park Road, Sycamore Road and Jamestown Road.

Below are some pictures from the first day of these new routes. 

AX580 at Charlestown on the first departure of Route 9.

EV74 at the 83 terminus in Kimmage.

EV59 operates the first service on Route 68 through Bulfin Estate.

 For more photos, check out our new website.

It’s a change which has been in the pipeline for some time now, but Dublin Bus has announced the date for the next phase of Network Direct. August 28th will see the changes to bus routes in the Finglas, Glasnevin, South Circular Road, Limekiln, Kimmage, Rathcoole and Newcastle areas of Dublin.

AX583 pictured at the Jamestown Road terminus of Route 19 - August 2011.

One of the more talked about changes is the withdrawal of Route 19. It’s been a familiar cross city route, but it’s now set to be replaced on the north side be a re-routed 83, and on the south side by Route 68 and 68A.

Despite the protests, Dublin Bus are continuing on with their plans to redesign the bus network. The main changes in this phase include:

* New Route 9 - the new name for route 19A

* A revised north side routing for route 83

* A revised routing for route 68 through Camden Street, SCR and Bulfin.

* New route 68A replacing route 19 on the south side. This is a short working of the 68.

RV566 pictured at St.Margaret’s Road on Route 83 (January 2011).

For more pictures on this network change, click on the features section of our brand new website www.dublinbustransport.com

Following on from Monday’s update, this morning saw the launch of new routes 14, 15B and 61.

• Route 14 - Dundrum to Beaumont

AV328 leaves the 14 terminus of Waldemar Terrace in Dundrum on the first south side departure of new route 14.

AV327 at Waldemar Terrace operating the second departure to Beaumont on Route 14.

Now operated by both Donnybrook and Summerhill Depots, AV112 creeps into a quiet Dundrum Village on the first southbound departure on Route 14. This is the first Summerhill bus to operate the route.

AV112 at Waldemar Terrace.

A first for Route 14. Summerhill Depot’s VG34 takes up duty at the north side terminus of Route 14 on Maryfield Drive. As Donnybrook don’t operate VG class buses, this is quite an unusual sight, but sure to be familiar in the future.

• Route 15B - Eden Quay to Ballyboden Way

AV203 at the Eden Quay terminus of Route 15B, with a new destination display of “Ballyboden Way”.

AV252 at Ballyboden Road approaching the new 15B terminus at Ballyboden Way.

• Route 61 - Townsend Street to Whitechurch

AV326 operates the first departure from Whitechurch on Route 61. Pictured here at Upper Churchtown Road.

The picture at the top of the page is AV326 preparing to operate the first Route 61 to Whitechurch, and above, AV326 sits at the former 15B terminus on Whitechurch Green.

This Sunday, August 7th, will see major changes affect some of Dublin’s busiest bus routes, and for others it will be the end.

The next phase of Network Direct means the cancelation of routes 14A, 20B and 48A, changes to routes 14, 15B and 161, and the introduction of brand new route 61.

• Route 14:

Currently running between Dundrum and Parnell Square, Route 14 will now be extended to Beaumont in North Dublin to replace route 20B. The new cross city route 14 will be jointly operated by both Donnybrook and Summerhill depot.

New Route 14: Dundrum Luas - Ballinteer - Broadford - Barton Road East - Beaumont Avenue - Churchtown - Rathgar - Rathmines - St. Stephen’s Green - Eden Quay/Burgh Quay - North Strand - Fairview - Artane - Ardlea Road

AV90 pictured at Broadford on Route 14 to Dundrum. July 2011.

Dublin city provides the backdrop as RV580 climbs Beaumont Avenue on Route 14 to Dundrum. July 2011.

• Route 14A:

Route 14A will be cancelled from Saturday, August 6th. Like Route 14, it operates between Parnell Square and Dundrum, but serves Upper Rathmines Road, Dartry, Milltown and Lower Churchtown Road. The proximity of this route to the Green Line Luas has seen passenger numbers drop in recent years.

EV98 pictured on Milltown Road operating Route 14A to Dundrum. July 2011.

AV89 turns on to Marley Court on Route 14A. July 2011.

AV260 pictured on D’Olier Street on route 14A. October 2010.

• Route 20B:

One of North Dublin’s busiest routes, the 20B operates between Ardlea Road and Eden Quay. Now to be replaced by extended route 14, the service will offer passengers cross city connections.

AV111 at the 20B terminus at Maryfield Drive/Ardlea Road. August 2011.

AV110 at the 20B Eden Quay terminus. August 2011.

AV268, pictured at Kilmore Road on Route 20B. August 2011.

AV228 crosses O’Connell Bridge on an early morning 20B to D’Olier Street. April 2011.

• Route 48A:

Once a frequent link between Broadford and Dublin City Centre, the frequency of Route 48A has diminished in recent years. The popularity of Luas, and an improved 14/14A service in the Ballinteer area, resulted in passenger numbers dropping. The route will be replaced in part by new route 14 and 61.

RV599 pictured at the Broadford terminus of Route 48A. July 2011.

AV90 picks up passengers at Superquinn, Ballinteer Avenue on Route 48A to Parnell Square.

RV598, Route 48A at Milltown. July 2011.

• Route 15B

Route 15B operates from Eden Quay to Whitechurch in South Dublin. As part of the proposed Network Direct changes to Templeogue, Route 15B will be rerouted to Stocking Avenue.

Whitechurch will now be served by new route 61 which will begin on August 7th. Until the extension of route 15B to Stocking Avenue, it will temporarily terminate at Ballyboden Way.

AV104 loads at Eden Quay on Route 15B to Whitechurch. August 2011.

RV531, pictured at the Whitechurch terminus of Route 15B.

• Route 161

Route 161 operates between Nutgrove and Tibraden. From August 7th, the route will be extended to Dundrum Luas station. Selected trips on new route 61 will also operate to/from Tibraden.

AV136 pictured at Whitechurch Green operating Route 161 to Nutgrove Shopping Centre.

New Route 61 will operate from Tibradden/Rockbrook & Whitechurch serving Taylor’s Lane, Ballyboden Road, Willbrook Road, Grange Road, Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, Dundrum, Milltown, Ranelagh, Earlsfort Terrace, Westland Row and Townsend Street. 

AV304 operating the first cross city service on Route 120 to Ballsbridge at O’Connell Bridge, July 25th, 2011.

Pictured above is AV304 on new peak time cross city service Route 120. Operating between Parnell Street and Ashtown, new changes under Network Direct now sees three peak time departures operating to and from Ballsbridge.

Route 120 serves all current 4/7/8 stops to Ballsbridge and will help deal with capacity problems on this corridor. Normally new services can be slow to pick up passengers, however despite the DMD incorrectly displaying Parnell Street, the loadings were quite good at O’Connell Bridge heading southbound.

AV192, pictured at O’Connell Bridge heading south to Ballsbridge on new route 120. July 25th, 2011.

VG2 operating Route 122, pictured at Keeper Road, Drimnagh. July 23rd, 2011. 

Today sees new Network Direct changes affect the southside section of route 122. The cross city service operates between Ashington and Drimnagh.

With plans in place to cancel route 19, the 122 has now been rerouted to cover part of the route. Perviously serving Dolphins Barn Bridge and Crumlin Road, the service now continues southbound on the South Circular Road to Rialto, before turning onto Herberton Road, crossing Rialto Bridge, and returning to the original route on Keeper Road.

AV317, pictured at the old 122 stop on Crumlin Road. July 23rd, 2011.

AV304 on the first day of service of new route 122. Pictured here approaching Rialto roundabout heading to Ashington. July 24th, 2011.

AX598 pictured on Rialto bridge on Route 122 to Drimnagh. July 24th, 2011.

In late 2010, Dublin Bus issued a tender for the refurbishment of some of it’s fleet. Part of the work includes replacing the dot matrix (DMD) destination displays with new LED units.

Pictured this evening operating Route 37 to Blanchardstown is Phibsboro’s AV26 which has just been fitted with the new display.

AV26, pictured on Aston Quay operating Route 37 to Blanchardstown Centre.

Harristown’s AV153 also fitted with new LED display. Pictured at Merrion Square operating Route 13 to IKEA. July 24th, 2011.

Sister to AV26, AV27 is pictured this evening operating Route 33x to Skerries with standard DMD.

The Red Line Luas to Saggart opened today. The extension of the line from Belgard takes in 5 new stops at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Business Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart.

To celebrate the opening, passengers could travel for free all day on the Luas Red Line. As always, Veolia provided excellent customer service along the route, with staff assisting passengers, entertainment at Citywest and brilliant marketing and signage across the line.

Like other Luas extensions, this new line offers passengers more choice and opens up new options for public transport travel in the city. 

Citywest is served by Dublin Bus routes 50, 65b and 69 and 69x, while Saggart is served by routes 69 and 69x.

AX523 pictured at Saggart Village operating Route 69 from Rathcoole to Hawkins Street. July 2nd 2011.

Route 69 to Rathcoole connects with Luas on Garter Lane, Saggart, a 5 minute walk from the Luas terminus. Hopefully, in time, these stops will be fitted with RTPI and moved slightly closer to the Luas stop. This will be of benefit to passengers traveling to Rathcoole and Clondalkin. Tallaght routes 50 and 65b meet with the Luas at Fortunestown.

Unlike other sections of the Luas line, there seemed to be no audio announcements mentioning bus connections at the various stops, however, displays at Luas platforms do contain a clear map of the area which includes bus stop details.

Luas estimates the journey time from Saggart to the city as 50 minutes, however for off peak times, passengers must changes trams at Belgard to complete their journey, which can add a few more minutes to the trip.

We compared off peak bus travel times this evening from Citywest to Dublin city centre. Route 50 made the journey in 43 minutes, while Route 69 took just 39 minutes to complete, giving the bus a slight edge over the tram. While the Luas may be quicker at peak times, the bus wins off peak.

AV202 pictured at the Citywest terminus of Route 50. July 2nd 2011.

4003 pictured at Saggart Terminus. July 2nd 2011.