There was a 48% increase in the number of passenger boardings in areas of Dublin where new BusConnnects routes are operating compared to the rest of the bus network, but there is "significant room for further improvement" when it comes to the punctuality of these new services.
That is according to a report by the National Transport Authority, which also said that a new ticketing system is in the design stage and should be introduced by 2028.
Punctuality increased last year on BusConnects routes compared to the rest of the network but only marginally, 8.5% on the new services compared to 2.3% on existing services.
The bi-annual report on the progress of BusConnects Dublin states that "there is significant room for further improvement" and this will be dependent on the introduction of new Core Bus Corridors and the Next Generation Ticketing Project.
When it comes to the issue of so-called ghost buses, the report says the "lost kilometres" have reduced by 64%, likely due to improved timetables with more realistic journey times, avoiding the need to cancel or curtail bus services to keep on schedule.
The reports said 11 of 12 Core Bus Corridors have been granted planning approval, which is the second major element of the BusConnects project.
Six of the 11 redesigned networks have been implemented since 2021.
The new 90-minute fare was used almost 30 million times by bus passengers in 2024 and there has also been a 23% increase in the number of residents who are within 400m of a ten minute frequency bus service.
A contract for the new ticketing system was awarded last April to Spanish company Indra Sistemas S.A.
The report said "this large and complex technology project is now in the analysis and design phase and will take approximately three years to deliver".
It will allow the use of credit and debit cards and mobile devices to pay and will enable more ticket choices and faster fare alterations.
The 12 new Core Bus Corridors will deliver around 230km of dedicated bus lanes and 200km of cycle tracks in 12 separate schemes across five local authority areas.
Two of the 11 bus corridors that have been given planning approval are expected to begin construction this year, with two more to follow after that, but the reports states that their introduction has to be phased to reduce the impacts on traffic.
"The construction of the corridors will be delivered on a phased basis in order to reduce the traffic impacts that could arise should a majority of the schemes be constructed concurrently. Given the traffic management requirements during construction, it is considered that a maximum of four schemes can be built concurrently.
"Detailed communication arrangements for the construction phase will be developed over the course of this year to ensure that residents, community groups, businesses and public representatives are kept fully informed and have access to relevant liaison personnel during construction of the schemes".
The 12 CBC's are
Clongriffin to city centre
Swords to city centre
Ballymun/Finglas to city centre
Blanchardstown to city centre
Liffey Valley to city centre
Belfield/Blackrock to city centre
Ringsend to city centre
Tallaght/Clondalkin to city centre
Lucan to city centre
Templeogue/Rathfarnham to city centre
Bray to city centre
The report also outlines that nine new 24-hour routes have been launched so far as part of Bus Connects.
110 electric buses service the routes avoiding the emission of 1,900 tonnes when compared to the emissions of diesel buses.
The BusConnects programme, which has considered 72,000 submissions at the various stages of public consultation, published two semi-annual reports following a recommendation by the Public Accounts Committee.
NTA Interim CEO Hugh Creegan said the growth in passenger numbers is encouraging.
"The BusConnects Dublin Programme has already delivered significant passenger benefits, but there's more to be done.
"The introduction of bus priority along the Core Bus Corridors and the new ticketing system will shorten journey times, and improve punctuality and reliability, making travel bus an even more attractive option," he said.
