Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
226. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration is being given to the phased introduction of a 24-hour public transport network in Dublin, including overnight DART, commuter rail, Luas and bus services, in recognition of the city’s growing population and the need to support workers, the night time economy and tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46293/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth Government and the NTA do see merit in extending 24 hour coverage further, and this is kept under ongoing review. However it is essential that future planning considerations for the NTA are both operationally justified and financially sustainable within resource allocations.
The continued rollout of the BusConnects Network Redesign has given passengers across the Greater Dublin Area more late night options than ever before. There are now 15 24-hour bus services operating seven days a week across the city, meaning the vast majority of suburbs have access to a bus service around the clock, seven days a week - a significant change from 5 years ago when 24 hour routes did not exist.
In addition, Dublin Bus operates 12 Nitelink services between midnight and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, linking the city centre to suburban areas, during peak late-night demand. Most other Dublin Bus routes run until around 11:30pm daily, while GoAhead operates 35 routes across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, most running to midnight. On rail and Luas, services already run at capacity, with additional late-night trains provided during peak periods where possible.
These services bring clear benefits. They provide reliable transport options for shift and late-night workers, support the night-time economy by making it easier for people to get out and home safely, and supports tourism by giving visitors confidence to enjoy the city both at day and night.
We have seen huge growth in public transport usage in recent years, and the Government remains committed to the ongoing enhancement of the TFI network, ensuring that public transport continues to be an affordable, reliable, and attractive option for all passengers. This is evident in the Programme for Government commitment to ensuring that public transport is as accessible as possible, supports the delivery of services, and incentivises off-peak travel.
