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Public and Other Transport

Use of public transport at highest level this year

CSO statistical release, , 11am

Public transport journeys rising, but still below Pre-COVID-19 levels

Public Transport Volumes

Source: National Transport Authority

Public Transport passenger journeys climbed to their highest levels since March 2020 but have not returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. Public transport journeys in the week beginning 23 May 2022 were 84% of the number taken in week beginning  02 March 2020 (pre-COVID-19). See table 3.1.

The number of bus journeys in Dublin for week beginning 23 May 2022 was 84% of the level in week beginning 02 March 2020, compared with 89% for bus journeys outside Dublin and 78% for rail journeys. (Data for rail journeys includes passenger journeys on Intercity and DART services.)

Luas journeys also rose during 2022, with an increase of 113% between the beginning of January to end of May. However, Luas journeys in week 21 of 2022 remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The number of journeys in week 21 was 88% of the level for the same week in 2019 for the red line and 75% for the green line.

It should be noted that public transport fares in the Greater Dublin Area were reduced by an average of 20%. This is in line with similar fare reductions across other public transport services in April 2022.

Please note Figure 3.1 Number of journeys by Dublin Bus per week 2019-2022 has been revised and corrected as of 12/10/2022.

Figure 3.1: Number of journeys by Dublin Bus per week, 2019 - 2022
Table 3.1 Passenger journeys by Public Transport per week, 2019 to 29 May 2022
Figure 3.2: Number of journeys by Luas per week, 2019 - 2022
Table 3.2 Passenger journeys by Luas per week, 2019 to 29 May 2022

Bicycle Counter Data

Source: Dublin City Council

Dublin City Council operates cycle counters at five locations across the city, which automatically count cyclists passing in both directions. The number of cyclists during the peak times of weekdays between 7am and 10am and from 4pm to 7pm fell significantly during periods of COVID-19 restrictions. See Table 3.3. Please note that public holidays are counted as off-peak.

The monthly volume of bicycles during peak hours in May 2022 was 70% higher compared with the same month in 2021. However, compared with May 2019 the monthly volume of bicycles during peak hours decreased by 24%.

The off-peak trends in the monthly volume of bicycles was 9% higher in May 2022 compared with May 2021, and 18% above the same month in 2019, (before COVID-19).

Figure 3.3 Monthly volume of bicycles at selected Dublin sites, 2019 to 2022
Table 3.3 Average monthly volume of bicycles at selected Dublin sites, 2019 to 2022

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