There has been a great deal of controversy voiced in the area about the changes to local bus routes, and at NewsFour we have received a number of calls from distraught readers.
Up to a few months ago there was the number 2 bus and the number 3 bus serving the area, but these two routes were merged into a new route – the number 1 bus.
The confusion began as there was a number 1 bus decades ago, and lots of our older residents thought the new number 1 would follow the same route. We also have the number 47 which serves the area too.
We spoke with Dublin Bus and they explained that they had done a number of meetings with local residents, and had got substantial feedback from the area before implementing changes. They also said there were cutbacks from the Government, which meant the subsidies they received had been cut considerably.
A representative told us that they were still aiming to give an excellent service with a considerably reduced budget. When we queried the route and timetable, we were directed to latest information on the internet at www.dublinbus.ie or you can call 01-8734222 to speak to someone directly.
To clear up the route confusion, the number 1 bus starts at St. John’s Church in Sandymount, and then heads onto the Strand Road, then Newgrove Avenue, Sandymount Road, Tritonville Road and Irishtown Road. It then makes its way up Bridge Street, Ringsend Road, Pearse Street, Westmoreland Street and onto O’Connell Street. From there it heads up Parnell Square and up Dorset Street, before travelling on to Drumcondra Road and finally stops at Shanard Street in Swords.
The number 47 follows a similar route but terminates in Fleet Street. If you catch this bus coming from town it will suit students going to UCD, as it drops off in the University en route.
By Joan Mitchell
