A major over haul of Dublin's bus network begins this Sunday.
The first service under the new Bus Connects plan will depart from Howth at the weekend, after a long running campaign to upgrade the network.
The H-spine route, which serves Howth, Baldoyle, Donaghmede, Raheny, Malahide, and Portmarnock is the first to run.
Meanwhile, the C-spine route is scheduled for launch in the autumn.
Commuters in the Lucan area can avail of the second service, which will span out as far as Maynooth and Celbridge in Kildare.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's phase one launch of #BusConnectsNetwork, CEO of National Transport Authority, Anne Graham said: "I am confident that the new service will make travelling by bus easier than ever before." #ChangeIsComing @dublinbusnews @GoAheadIreland pic.twitter.com/1zChOjxQKz
— Transport for Ireland (@TFIupdates) June 24, 2021
CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Graham, said she was "excited" to improve the city's transport network.
"It's about better frequency of services in the day, evening and at the weekend."
Minister Eamon Ryan says in the next phases Bus Connects will cover other areas not just Dublin.
"We'll be doing similar in other cities, I think it's critical that this applies to Cork, Galway Waterford and Limerick."
I'm on a 31a to Howth, to launch phase one of @BusConnects new Dublin network. From Sunday the 29a, 32 & 31 will be replaced by new H1, H2 & H3 routes, with more frequent & direct services. It's a first step in a radical upgrade of bus services in Dublin. https://t.co/nk7QfE18p0 pic.twitter.com/m3L4G3IINe
— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) June 24, 2021
The overhaul of the transport system includes 16 new bus corridors and 230 kilometres of bus priority lanes.
To accommodate the move, 3,000 trees will be felled, which faced significant opposition from locals.
