A new traffic plan for Dublin bans cars travelling through College Green during peak hours on weekdays.
The introduction of the College Green bus gate on 27 July 2009 will see up to 7,000 cars a day having to find an alternative route as only buses, taxis and bicycles will be allowed to travel through College Green between 7 am and 10 am and 4 am and 7 pm on weekdays.
The idea is to improve the flow of public transport during peak hours.
Dublin City Council's director of traffic Brendan O’Brien suggests motorists use alternative routes around the College Green area. They can still do business in Dame Street and Westmoreland Street but,
What they can’t do is drive between the Bank of Ireland and Trinity College.
To tie in with the introduction of traffic management Dublin Bus chief executive Paddy Doherty explains there will be a new city centre fare which will,
Allow anyone to board a bus for 50 cents between Parnell Square and Stephen’s Green.
He is satisfied the combined set of measures will be,
Very good for bus users.
President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce PJ Timmins also sees the benefits of the bus corridor,
It will be very good for shoppers.
While motorists will be discommoded, it is hoped the bus corridor will make bus journeys more reliable and so encourage more people to use the buses.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 July 2009. The reporter is Bethan Kilfoil.
