GET AROUND
Public transportation has improved massively over the last few years but is still worse than in other European cities. This is more of a problem for the commuter than the visitor to Dublin, however, as the centre of the city is easy to get around on foot.
By bus
An extensive bus service operated by the state controlled Dublin Bus serves the city and its suburbs, right out to the very outer suburbs. There are around 200 bus routes in Dublin. However, the route numbering system is highly confusing, with numbers having been issued non-sequentially, suffix letters and alternate destinations, so obtaining a route map from Dublin Bus is essential. Here are some pointers about using the bus services:
- Most city buses leave from the O’Connell street area (including Eden quay and fleet street) or from the west wall of Trinity Collage.
- Daytime buses run from around 5:00am to 11:30pm and there is also 24 late night routes, known as the Nightlink service, which are suffixed by an N , and run from 12:00am to 3:00am. The night fare is standard and costs €4.
- The Xpresso is a special service designed to allow for faster and more efficient bus travel for daily commuters, during both morning and evening rush hour traffic. Xpresso routes are more direct than many other bus routes, offering passengers a quicker service. These routes also have fewer stops and therefore, reduce journey times between destinations. Xpresso buses are suffixed by an X. There are 22 Xpresso routes.
- Railink is an express bus that links Eden Quay, Custom House Quay, Jury's North Wall, Docklands Station, Connelly station, Heuston Station and the International Financial Services Centre.
- There is a ferry port link operated by Dublin Bus from Dublin Port and Dun Laoighre ferry port to Busaras (Central Bus Station).
- It should be noted that, while there is effectively no queuing system at bus stops, those paying with cash generally enter to the left of the doors, and those using card tickets to the right. Your position in a perceived "queue" for a bus is effectively irrelevant once it arrives. If you have a prepaid ticket don't bother queueing, get onto the bus on the right hand side of the front door.
- When paying with cash, try to ensure that you have the correct amount of change, as the bus drivers cannot change larger amounts. If you only have larger coins (€1/2), you will receive a "receipt", which can be exchanged for cash at the Dublin Bus headquarters on O'Connell Street.
- There is also a local Bus service that dose not come through the city suffixed by an E. If you see “an lár” written as the destination, it means that it is going to the city. It should be known that it is courtesy to say thank you to the bus driver.
By train/tram
A suburban rail service called the DART runs along the coast between Greystones in the south and Howth and Malahide in the north. Tickets can be bought in the stations, from a window or a machine. There is also a network of other communter services. [route map=http://www.irishrail.ie/home/maps/dart_map.asp]
Another light rail service is called the Luas. The first, 'green' line of the new tram system was opened at the end of June 2004 and runs between St. Stephen's Green and Sandyford (city centre to south-east). The second, 'red' line, from Connolly Station to Tallaght, opened on the 4th October 2004 (city centre to south-west) (route map). The Luas is frequent and reliable. Tickets can be bought on the platforms, at the machines and do not need to be validated.
By car
Taxis were recently (2001) deregulated and are relatively easy to come by, although not as easily as in some other European cities. They may be ordered by telephone, at ranks, or just hailed on the street. Point to point trips in the city centre should cost between €4 and €8. There is a national standardised rate for all taxis.
Driving in Dublin is not to be recommended, particularly in the city centre. Traffic is heavy and there is an extensive one-way system explicitly designed to make it very difficult for cars to enter the city centre. There are a large number of bus lanes (buses, taxis and pedal cycles are permitted to use them) the use of which by cars is liable to strict fines. It is usually possible to drive in bus lanes at certain off-peak times, with signs displaying these periods. It can be difficult to find parking other than in multi-storey car parks. Onstreet parking for short periods is allowed at parking meters, but beware of over-staying your time or you will be "clamped" by the clamping companies who patrol frequently. A system of two ring roads around the city has been introduced in recent years, with colour coded signage in purple and blue (see the orbital route map. The M50 is Dublins ring-motorway.
By bicycle/motorbike
Dublin has a large student population and is relatively cycle-friendly. Hiring a bicycle would be a handy way to get around if you want to get outside the very centre of the city and are comfortable cycling in traffic. Be aware that cycle lanes, where they exist, are generally shared with buses and cyclists should pay particular attention when approaching bus stops where a bus is pulling out.
Motorbikes are not allowed to use the cycle lanes but many do so. Passing on the left is also not allowed but very common.
CRIME
Dublin is mostly a friendly city. However, like most large cities, crime against the person, such as muggings, unprovoked attacks and robberies have been known to occur. The simple truth of it is, treat Dublin like you would most western cities, and be sensible; don't walk in poorly lit areas at night, especially alone, be aware of large gangs of youths congregating around street corners, Etc. There are plenty of taxis at all hours of the day and night, which are safe and usually friendly.
Travelling on the late night public bus the "NightLink" is best used as a last resort. If you do use this facility, sit downstairs near the driver.
|
