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Press Statement

Preasráiteas

12 May 2021

Press Statement Transport Bulletin May 2021

Easing of 5km travel restrictions results in greater car traffic volumes in April
  • Car traffic volumes increased considerably in the week beginning 12 April compared with the previous week, following the relaxation of the 5km travel restrictions with county-wide travel
  • The latest data available shows HGV traffic volumes are 70% higher in Dublin and 49% higher in regional sites compared to the same week in 2020
  • The number of new cars licensed in April 2021 was six times greater than in April 2020 but there were still 5,580 fewer vehicles licensed than in April 2019
  • While the number of fatalities on Irish roads is down by 25% when comparing the first four months of 2021 (40) to the same period in 2020 (53), there were 19 fatalities in April 2021 compared with seven in April 2020
  • COVID-19 continues to have a major impact on airport passenger numbers, however, the number of passengers travelling through Dublin airport in March 2021 increased by 15% compared to the previous month
  • Latest available data on the total number of rail and bus journeys indicates that they are now at their highest level since the beginning of 2021

Go to release: Transport Bulletin May 2021

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (12 May 2021) published its latest Transport Bulletin. The bulletin captures the impact of the latest COVID-19 restrictions on traffic volumes and the number of journeys taken on public transport. This bulletin is compiled using data collected by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Road Safety Authority, the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Transport.

The volume of cars on Irish roads has been rising slowly since the start of the year following the move to Level 5 restrictions in December and more rapidly since travel restrictions changed in week 15 (on 12 April). The easing of travel restrictions is also reflected in the use of public transport. Latest available data show the total number of rail and bus journeys are at their highest since the beginning of 2021.

Commenting on this latest bulletin, Dr Nele van der Wielen, Statistician, said: “The COVID-19 restrictions continue to have a significant influence on traffic volumes, but the data also reveal the increase in travel associated with the easing of restrictions.

Car traffic volumes increased significantly in the week beginning 12 April compared with the previous week, following the easing of the 5km travel restrictions with county-wide travel. That week saw an increase of 26% in car traffic volumes in Dublin, as well as a 21% increase in regional locations compared to the previous week. Car traffic volumes in the week beginning 26 April (week 17 of 2021) were one and a half times higher in the regional locations than in the same week of 2020, however volumes were still 30% lower than the equivalent week of 2019. The easing of travel restrictions within counties is also reflected in the increased usage of public transport. Latest available data on the total number of rail and bus journeys indicates that they are now at their highest level since the beginning of 2021. As of yet, we do not have data to show the impact of further easing of restrictions allowing inter-county travel on 10 May 2021, which we can expect in our next release.

There were 40 fatalities on Irish roads in the first four months of 2021 compared with 53 in the same period in 2020, a drop of 25%. However, in April 2021 there were 19 fatalities on Irish roads compared with seven in April 2020.

HGV traffic has not been impacted in the same way by the pandemic and we now see increased HGV traffic compared to both 2020 and 2019 levels. The latest data available, for the week beginning 26 April, shows HGV traffic volumes are 70% higher in Dublin and 49% higher in regional sites compared to the same week in 2020.”

Further commenting on the Transport Bulletin, Dr Nele van der Wielen said: “COVID-19 continues to have a major impact on airport passenger numbers, however, the number of passengers travelling through Dublin airport in March 2021 increased by 15% compared to the previous month."

This bulletin will be updated on a regular basis to measure the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on transport. Future editions will be located in the CSO COVID-19 Information Hub.

For further information contact:

Nele van der Wielen (+353) 21 453 5260

or email transport@cso.ie

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