LiveDrive survival guide for commuters during the bus strikes.

Tomorrow is the first day of an expected six Dublin Bus strike days in September. Inevitably this is going to mean extra traffic on the roads and thus extra delays. If you're looking to avoid the worst of it, here are a few tips to make the next few days as painless as possible

1) Car sharing is always an efficient, cost effective and fun way to travel. If you live near any of your work colleagues, why not relish the opportunity to spend even more time with them by arranging a car pool? You can sing songs, share life experiences and learn new things about each other. Alternatively, if you don't have any colleagues/friends, you can always find some at www.carsharing.ie.

2) Plan your journey in advance, and leave plenty of extra time. There's going to be a lot of extra cars on the roads tomorrow so it's worth working out in advance what route you're going and whether there are any potential alternative, less popular ways of getting there. Plan to leave early to be safe. Best case scenario you arrive in work early and get some sort of certificate at the Christmas party.

3) Enjoy the last of the Summer weather by walking (for shorter distances) or cycling. It's environmentally friendly, healthy and you get the satisfaction of sailing past traffic jams. Plus a bracing walk is the perfect excuse to catch up on that podcast your mates have been telling you to tune into for ages. They're right by the way, it will change your life.

4) Bear in mind that Bus Lanes remain in operation. This is official policy during every industrial action of this kind and is so that the lanes can remain in use by other bus companies, emergency service vehicles, taxis and cyclists. If you're not one of those things, stay out of the bus lanes!

5) Check the traffic before you leave. We say it again and again but the best way to avoid traffic is to anticipate it. On LiveDrive, We broadcast between 7-10am and 4-7pm and we'll be posting regular updates on our twitter account @LiveDrive as well between those times. But you knew that already, didn't you?

More strikes are currently due to take place next week on Thursday and Friday (15th & 16th), and the following week on Friday and Saturday (23rd & 24th).

5 survival tips for commuters during the Luas strike

With the first of two 48-hour Luas strikes scheduled to begin tomorrow morning which is expected to affect 90,000 commuter, it is inevitable that there will be higher volumes on the road as a result.

We here at LiveDrive have compiled a few tips that will hopefully make your commute over the next couple of days a bit more bearable.

1. For shorter journeys - try walking

While the weather over the last several weeks has been very changeable, and we've experienced a rough couple of days with Storm Irene, Met Eireann are currently forecasting a relatively dry day tomorrow, with chilly-but-manageable temperatures of 5-6 degrees. If you don't have to travel a great distance, it might be worth your while wrapping up and making your commute by foot. Aside from avoiding traffic congestion, you'll also get a bit of exercise!

2. Cycle where possible

See above. If you live a little further out from where you work, cycling can still be a very good way to get to and from where you need to be. If it's been a while since you've dusted off the bike, irishcycle.com have come up with a handy guide of cycling safely and efficiently in the city: http://irishcycle.com/how-to/startingtocycle/

3. If travelling by public transport, know which alternative is best for you

For the duration of the strikes, Luas tickets will not be valid on other forms of public transport, so make sure you have a valid ticket. If you're not sure which public transport operator will serve you best, nationaltransport.ie has a handy journey planner which can help you plan how you'll get to work. Dublin Bus has announced that its full fleet will be in operation for the duration of the strike, but leave extra time, particularly if leaving at peak times, as services will undoubtedly be busier.

4. Plan your route in advance, and leave extra time to anticipate delays.

If you're travelling in from the north side of the city, the good news is you probably won't be badly hit as most affected commuters will be coming from the South and West of the city.

The worst affected routes we generally see when there's a problem with the Luas is around Clonskeagh/Ranelagh. This could also have knock-on effect to the surrounding area, with the N11/Beaver Row/Merrion Road also taking on extra volumes as commuters look to find a good access to the south side of the city. We also expect that the North Quays will be a problem, particularly in the morning, as more people drive into the city centre. If you generally travel along one of these routes, think of what other options might take you where you want to go

5. Check the traffic before you leave

The best chance you have of avoiding unnecessary delays is to check your route before you leave. On LiveDrive, we broadcast live updates between 7-10 AM and again between 4-7 PM, during peak traffic hours every weekday. We also post regular updates on twitter during those times. If you have a question about a route that isn't being covered in our reports, you can contact us via our twitter handle, @LiveDrive, or on our text/WhatsApp number - 087 179 1032 - and we'll be happy to answer it if we can. Remember to check before embarking on your journey to ensure the first you learn about a congested route isn't when you're stuck in it.


There will also be another 48-hour strike beginning next Thursday (18th February) and the same tips will apply then. In short, plan your journey carefully and well in advance, and you should avoid the worst of it.

Bank Holiday Weekend restrictions

An exciting Bank Holiday Weekend is upon us at last in Dublin! Lots going on and as a result, lots of traffic restrictions.


Bloom takes place daily in Phoenix Park from 10am to 6pm until Monday. Restrictions in the Park are as follows:
Ashtown Gate is closed, except for emergency services.
There is no right turn at Cabra Gate on entering the Park, except for Bloom traffic.
All of Chesterfield Avenue will be open.
The North Road is one-way system.
Parking is restricted on Odd Lamp Rd and on Chesterfield Avenue from Mountjoy Roundabout to beyond the Phoenix Monument. Organisers are asking commuter entering at Castleknock Gate to approach from Castleknock village due to difficulties turning left from Castleknock Rd.
See Phoenix Park.ie and Bloom In The Park.com.


The Bavaria City Race takes place on Sunday. Restrictions in the city are as follows:
Today: 

• Lane closure will be in place along North Wall Quay westbound between Samuel Beckett Bridge and Sean O’Casey Bridge from midnight until 6am 

Tomorrow:

•  Burgh Quay between Georges Quay and D’Olier St, from 2am until 5am 
•  D’Olier St from O’Connell Bridge and O’Connell St, from 4am to 6:30am 
•  Butt Bridge between Georges Quay and Beresford Rd, from 1am until 3am 

From 6pm tomorrow to 9am on Monday:

• North Wall Quay between East Wall Rd and Custom House Quay 
• Custom House Quay between North Wall Quay and Butt Bridge 
• Georges Quay between Memorial Bridge and Butt Bridge 
• Burgh Quay between Georges Quay and D’Olier St 

Sunday, from 6am to 8pm:

• Memorial Bridge between Custom House Quay and City Quay 
• Samuel Beckett Bridge between North Wall Quay and Sir John Rogersons Quay 
• Butt Bridge between Custom House Quay and Georges Quay (from 5am) 

From 7pm tomorrow to 5.30am on Monday:

• D’Olier St between O’Connell Bridge and College St 
• College St between D’Olier St and Dame St 
• Dame St between College St and Georges St 
• Westmoreland St between Dame St and O’Connell Bridge 
• O’Connell Bridge between Eden Quay and Westmoreland St 
• College Green between College St and Dame St 
• Wellington Quay between Aston Quay and Parliament St 
• Aston Quay between Westmoreland St and Wellington Quay 

All road closures will be lifted by 9am on Monday.

Diversions

Travelling north to south:

Motorists wishing to travel from the northside of the city to the southside can divert via East Wall Rd and over the East Link Bridge. Alternatively motorists can divert via the N2/Phibsborough Rd or the N1/Swords Rd onto the NCR.

Those wishing to access the city centre can do so via Church St through to Bridge St or from Queen St through to Bridgefoot St and onto Thomas St.

Travelling south to north:

Motorists wishing to travel from the southside of the city to the northside can do so via Ringsend over the East Link Bridge and through to East Wall Rd. Alternatively, motorists can travel from Dolphin Barn onto Suir Rd, through to SCR, Conygham Rd and through to NCR. From there, motorists can gain access to the N3/Navan Rd, the N2/Phibsborough Rd and the N1/Swords Rd.

Those wishing to access the city centre can do so via the Grand Canal and Harolds Cross Rd through to Patrick St. 

The Forbidden Fruit Music Festival takes place from tomorrow to Monday. Gates open at 2pm each day, restrictions are as follows:
From Saturday to Monday, a one-way system will be in operation on Kilmainham Lane for brief periods from time to time.
A special shuttle bus service will depart from George's Quay and will be running to and from the site from 2pm daily and returning from 10:30pm.
Take public transport if possible as there is no on-site car parking. Expect delays in the area, particularly on the South Quays, St John’s Rd West and on the SCR.
See Forbidden Fruit.ie.


The 150th anniversary of Dublin Fire Brigade takes place this weekend. A celebratory parade will take place tomorrowy, starting at Parnell Square from 5pm. Participants will march from Parnell St to Dublin Castle. Expect delays.


The Women's Mini Marathon takes place on Monday. Rolling road closures will be in place as a result. Closures:
06:00 am – 18:30 pm St. Stephen’s Green South
06:00 am – 18:30 pm St. Stephen’s Green East
11:30 am – 18:30 pm St. Stephen’s Green North
06:00 am – 16:30 pm Fitzwilliam Street Upper / Lower
06:00 am – 16:30 pm Fitzwilliam Place
08:00 am – 16:30 pm Merrion Square East and Merrion Square North
08:00 am – 19:00 pm Merrion Square South, Merrion Square West and Merrion Street Upper
14:50 pm – 16:45 pm Nutley Lane
08:00 am – 18:30 pm Lower Leeson Street and Leeson Street Bridge
08:00 am – 18:30 pm Earlsfort Terrace
12.30 pm – 18:30 pm Hatch Street
08:00 am – 18:30 pm Kildare Street
12:30 pm – 18:30 pm Pembroke Street
08.00 am – 19.00 pm Hume Street
08.00 am – 19.00 pm Ely Place
06.00 am – 18.30 pm Cuffe Street/Wexford Street


Diversions:
Traffic heading north on Rock Road will divert via Strand Road, Beach Road, Bath Street, Irishtown Road, Bridge Street, Ringsend Road, Pearse Street, Tara Street for northern traffic.
Traffic heading north on the Stillorgan Road will divert via Foster Avenue, Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh Road, Sandford Road, Ranelagh Road, Charlemont Street, Harcourt Road, Camden Street, Camden Street Lower, Wexford Street, Aungier Street, South Great George’s Street, Dame Street, Lord Edward Street, Christchurch Place, Winetavern Street to the quays.
Traffic heading south on Dame Street will divert via South Great George’s Street, Aungier Street, Wexford Street, Camden Street Lower, Harcourt Street, Harcourt Road, Charlemont Street, Ranelagh Road, Sandford Road, Clonskeagh Road, Roebuck Road, Foster Avenue to Stillorgan Road.
Traffic heading south on O’Connell Street will divert via D’Olier Street, Pearse Street, Ringsend Road, Bridge Street, Irishtown Road, Pembroke Street, Beach Road, Strand Road to Rock Road.
Traffic heading south on Amiens Street will divert via Memorial Road, City Quay, Cardiff Lane, Pearse Street, Ringsend Road, Bridge Street, Irishtown Road, Pembroke Street, Beach Road, Strand Road to Rock Road.
Pedestrian access will be maintained. Traffic diversions will vary as the race proceeds.
See Flora Women's Mini Marathon.ie.

'Leap'-ing for joy!

The new Leap Card is now available! 


It can be used on Dublin Bus, Luas and DART and Commuter services within the ‘Short Hop Zone’, which is between Greystones and Balbriggan and Dublin City and Maynooth and Hazelhatch.


Leap Cards can be bought online and in over 400 shops. You can also top up your Leap Card at any Luas stop. Click here for more info!

One less card in your wallet...

Good news today for Dublin commuters! A new integrated ticketing system will be launched in the next few weeks. The 'Leap' card will see ticketing for Dublin Bus, the DART, the Luas and the commuter rail line all rolled into one.

You can read more about it here.