The installment of real-time bus information and the development of integrated services and ticketing will be crucial factors in ensuring the success of the nine new bus lanes approved for development in Dublin. This is the message the Chamber will be delivering to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan at their upcoming meeting.

While launching the Traffic Management Guidelines in May, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan simultaneously promised to fund a doubling in the number of QBCs in the Greater Dublin Area. Dublin Chamber Policy Director, Declan Martin, said: "While light rail and metro will play a big part in the public transport system we have to recognise that buses will be the predominant solution to public transport needs in the coming years.

"We would like to see early progress on issues like real-time information so users will know when the next bus is due, and integrated ticketing which allows users to switch between bus, dart or metro as the case may be. "We will be taking these points up with the Minister when we meet with him shortly."

Mr. Martin also highlighted concerns about the positioning of the Park and Ride facillity at the Red Cow Roundabout: "Due to the location of the Luas Park and Ride depot at the roundabout and the fact that Luas will crossover, it will be extremely difficult for buses to connect with the Luas without having to brave traffic congestion.

3 June 2003